SHAMEFUL: -- Three Mormons were carried away from Illinois by a party of Missourians a few days since and severely whipped on a charges of stealing. The case was a most flagrant one.

Notes: (forthcoming)

                          From the Alexandria Gazette

A  GLANCE  AT  THE  MORMONS.

Since the Mormons were expelled from the State of Missouri, they have purchased the town of Commerce, a situation of surpassing beauty, at the head of the lower rapids, on the Illinois shore of the upper Mississippi river. The name of the place they recently changed to Nauvoo, the Hebrew term for Fair or Beautiful. Around this place, as their centre, they are daily gathering from almost every quarter; and several hundred new houses, created within the last few months, attest to the passing traveller the energy, industry, and self-denial with which the community is imbued. They have also obtained possession of extensive lands on the opposite side of the river, in that charming portion of Iowa Territory, known as the 'Half Breed Reservation;' and there, upon the rolling and fertile prairies, they are rapidly selecting their homes and opening their farms. As the traveller now passes through those natural parks and fields of flowers, which the hand of the Creator seems to have originally planted there for the inspection of his own eye, he beholds their cabins dotted down in the most enchanting perspective, either on the borders of the timber, or beside the springs and streams of living water, which are interspersed on every hand.

Nor are they unmindful of their interests abroad, while they are thus accomplishing so much at home. No sect, with equal means, has probably ever suffered and achieved more in so short a time. Their elders have not only been commissioned and sent forth to every part of our own country, but they have left their families and friends behind them, and gone to Europe, and even to the Holy Land, to reveal the wonders of the "new and everlasting covenant;" and to preach "the dispensation of the fulness of times." They doubt not but that they shall be endued, when necessary, with power from on high to proclaim to all the nations of the earth in their own tongues, the wonderful works of God.

The signal success which every where attends their exertions, proves how well their religious system is adapted to give expression to the various forms of enthusiasm that pervade the religious sentiment of the day. Retaining many truths which are held in common by different denominations of Christians and covering their own absurdities with imposing forms and lofty pretensions, their system opens a winning asylum for all the disaffected or dissatisfied of other persuasions, and much that is congenial to almost every shade of erratic or radical religious character. As an illustration of this, it is stated, in the last number of their own journal, called "Times and seasons," that, on a single occasion in England, one of their elders lately baptized, among others, no less than thirteen preachers of one denomination of Christians.

The name of Mormon they disclaim, and affirm that it was given to them by their enemies. They call themselves "The Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints," and number, among their chief ecclesiastical dignitaries, a prophet, patriarch, and a train of high priest[s], bishops, and elders. They are understood to disallow the truth and validity of other churches, and to believe that their own ecclesiastical constitution entitles them to expect the enjoyment of all other gifts and blessings of the church in ancient times. They teach that all who are baptized by immersion and under proper authority, are legally entitled to the remission of their sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Among other religious exercises, they meet together to testify, to prophecy, to speak with tongues to interpret, and to relate their visions and revelations, and, in short, to exercise all the gifts of God, as set in order among the ancient churches. They believe that the restoration of Israel to Palestine, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the second advent of the Messiah are near at hand, -- and the dreadful calamities which have recently befallen some of the cities of our land, are set down upon their records as prophetic signs of the second coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of Heaven to open their millennial era.

As to the "Book of Mormon," while they place implicit confidence in its truth, they deny that it is a new Bible, to exclude the old but a historical and religious record, written in ancient times, by a branch of the house of Israel that peopled America, from whom the Indians descended. The metallic plates, on which these records was engraved, lay deposited for many centuries in the earth, until at length, they were discovered and translated by Joseph Smith Jr. and found, not only to corroborate and confirm the truth of holy writ, but also to open the events of ancient America, as far back at least as the flood. -- They believe that this book pours the light of noonday upon the history of a nation, whose mounds and cities, and fortifications, still repose, in grand but melancholy ruins, upon the bosom of the western prairies; and the reason that it is not more generally received is the same that operated to prevent the reception of the Gospel, in the early ages of Christianity.

It was a beautiful morning towards the close of April last, when the writer of the foregoing sketch, accompanied by, a friend, crossed the Mississippi River, from Montrose, to pay a visit to the prophet. As we approached his house, we saw him ride up and alight from his beautiful horse; and handing the bridle to one of his followers in attendance, he waited in front of his gate to receive us. A number of principal men of the place soon collected around, apparently anxious to hear the words which fell from his lips. His bearing towards them was like one who has authority; and the deference which they paid him convinced us that his dominion was deeply seated in the empire of their consciences. To our minds, profound knowledge of human nature had evidently taught him that, of all principles, the most omnipotent is the religious principle; and to govern men of certain classes, it is only necessary to control their religious sentiment.

After he had shown us the fine grounds around his dwelling, he conducted us, at our request, to an upper room, where he drew aside the curtains of a case, and showed us several Egyptian mummies, which we were told that the church had purchased, at his suggestion, some time before, for a large sum of money.

The embalmed body that stands near the centre of the case, said he, is one of the Pharaohs, who sat on the throne of Egypt; and the female figure by it was probably one of the daughters.

It may have been the princess Thermutis, I replied, the same that rescued Moses from the waters of the Nile.

It is not improbable, answered the Prophet; but [my] time has not yet allowed fully to examine and decide that point. Do you understand the Hebrew language, said he, raising his hand to the top of the case, and taking down a small Hebrew Grammar of Rabbi Seixas.

That language has not altogether escaped my attention, was the reply.

He then walked to a secretary, on the opposite side of the room, and drew out several frames, covered with glass, under which were numerous fragments of Egyptian papyrus, on which, as usual, a great variety of hieroglyphical characters had been imprinted.

These ancient records, said he, throw great light on the subject of Christianity. They have been unrolled and preserved with great labor and care. My time has been hitherto too much taken up to translate the whole of them, but I will show you how I interpret certain parts. There, said he, pointing to a particular character, that is the signature of the patriarch Abraham.

It is indeed a most interesting autograph, I replied, and doubtless the only one extant. What an ornament it would be to have these ancient manuscripts handsomely set, in appropriate frames, and hung up around the walls of the temple which you are about to erect at this place.

Yes, replied the Prophet, and the translation hung up with them.

Thinking this a proper time to propose a few inquiries relative to some of his peculiar tenets, I observed that it was commonly reported of him, that he believed in the personal reign of the Messiah upon earth, during the millennial era.

I believe in no such thing, was his reply. At the opening of that period, I believe that Christ will descend; but will immediately return again to heaven. Some of our elders, he continued, before I have found time to instruct them better, have unadvisedly propagated some such opinions; but I tell my people that it is absurd to suppose that Christ "will jump out of the frying pan into the fire." He is in a good place now, and it is not to be supposed that he will exchange it for a worse one.

Not a little shocked by the emblem employed by the Prophet, we descended from his chamber, and the conversation turned upon his recent visit to Washington, and his talk with the President of the United States. He gave us distinctly to understand that his political views had undergone an entire change; and his description of the reception given him at the executive mansion was any thing but flattering to the distinguished individual who presides over its hospitalities.

Before he had heard the story of our wrongs, said the indignant Prophet, Mr. Van Buren gave us to understand that he could do nothing for the redress of our grievances lest it should interfere with his political prospects in Missouri. He is not as fit said he, as my dog, for the chair of state; for my dog will make an effort to protect his abused and insulted master, while the present chief magistrate will not so much as lift his finger to relieve an oppressed and persecuted community of freemen, whose glory it has been that they were citizens of the United States.

You hold in your hands, I observed, a larger amount of political power, and your society must exert a tremendous influence, for weal or woe, in the coming elections.

Yes, said he, I know it; and our influence, as far as it goes, we intend to use. There are probably not far short of an hundred thousand souls in our society, and the votes to which we are entitled throughout the Union must doubtless be extensively lost to Mr. Van Buren.

Not being disposed in any way to intermeddle in party politics, I made no definite reply; but immediately taking leave we returned to Montrose, abundantly satisfied that the Society over which he presided has assumed a moral and political importance which is but very imperfectly understood. Associated on the religious principle, under a prophet and leader whose mysterious and awful claims to divine inspiration make his voice to believers like the voice of God; trained to sacrifice their individuality; to utter one cry; and to think and act in crowds; with minds that seem to have been struck from the sphere of reason on one subject, and left to wander, like lost stars; amid the dark mazes and winding ways of religious error; these remarkable sectaries must necessarily hold in their hands a fearful balance of political power. In the midst of contending parties, a single hand might turn their influence, with tremendous effect, to which ever side presented the most potent attraction; and should they ever become disposed to exert their influence for evil, which may Heaven prevent, they would surround our institutions with an element of danger more to be dreaded than an armed and hundred eyed police.


Note: The Illinois Quincy Whig reprinted an edited version of this Alexandria Gazette article in its issue of Oct. 10, 1840. See also the New York Sun of July 28, 1840 for a similar reprint.

The Mormons. -- The Corner Stone of the great Mormon Temple (that is to be) at Nauvoo, Illinois, was laid on the 6th inst. in presence of seven or eight thousand persons, and the Nauvoo Military Legion, consisting of six hundred and fifty men. The Warsaw (Ill.) World says: "Mr. Rigdon officiated at the laying of the chief corner stone, and addressed the assembly in a very energetic manner in a speech of about an hour's length. On the whole the exercises passed off with the utmost order, without accident or the slightest disturbance. Gen. Bennett commanded the Legion, under the direction of the Prophet, and acquitted himself in a truly officer-like manner."


Note: William Schouler (1814-72), was the proprietor and editor of the Lowell "Courier in 1841-47, after which he became the editor of the Boston Daily Atlas. Schouler evidently took a personal interest in Mormonism and its origins, and his paper published several articles on that subject. The other paper in Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell Journal, also published some unique and informative articles on the Mormons during the early 1840s.

THE  MORMONS.

                                                                Nauvoo, April 6, 1841.

My Dear Sir, -- I have this day attended services of so novel a character, and connected with so remarkable a species of modern fanaticism, that I am inclined to give your readers and my friends through the columns of the Recorder some account of the extraordinary scene. The occasion was the laying the corner stones -- for it was not deemed sufficient to lay one ceremonously -- of the Mormon Temple to be erected on this beautiful spot. Let me say a word about the spot. It is a high bluff on the Mississippi about 60 miles above Quincy, and more than two hundred above St. Louis. There is a lower plateau or table land, perhaps half a mile wide, level, cleared and dotted here and there with log cabins, and few frame buildings. The bluff rises less abruptly than many of the western bluffs, to the height of 60 or 80 feet, affording a fine view of the lower town as well as of the river, and the opposite shore of Iowa, with the village of Montrose in that Territory -- Directly upon the edge of the bluff, is the foundation of the Temple, from which may be seen in every direction among the trees, the new or half-finished log-cabins of the Mormon settlers, who are crowding into this, their new "land of promise," in great numbers. It is eleven years this day since the first band of these deluded people was organized in the State of New York. It consisted of six, all of whom dispersed, as preachers of the new doctrine. An establishment was soon formed at Kirtland, Ohio, and I believe at one or two other places, but their principal rallying point was at "Far West," in Missouri, their favorite "land of promise," from which they were driven a year since, for reasons which I find it extremely difficult to ascertain. Undoubtedly, they were bad neighbors, but whether as the missionaries allege, they attempted to carry out their true principles, that the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, and that He has given it to "His saints" for their discretionary possession and use, is not quite clear to my mind.

Cases of dishonesty there undoubtedly were, and the presence of a large and increasing body of men, fully possessed with a spirit of the wildest fanaticism, and joined from time to time by reckless adsventurers, perhaps outlaws was naturally fitted to awaken the jealousy of those among whom they came, and whom they did not hesitate to speak of as the Lord's enemies, and to treat in the most overbearing and irritating manner. Probably there was wrong on both sides. Be this as it may, they were driven out, with some loss of life, and an expense to the state of Missouri of $150,000. They soon after purchased the little town of Commerce, situated on the table land I mentioned above and are now concentrating themselves at this point and the tract adjacent, where they have a city laid off and organized, which they call Nauvoo. It having been "revealed to Joe Smith, the istensible head of this strange force, that a Temple must be built at this place, and the dimensions, architecture, arrangement, and devotions having all been prescribed with no less minuteness than were those of the ancient Jewish sanctuary, this day was appointed, and all the "faithful" within convenient distance, commanded to appear before the ceremony of laying the corner stones: -- Accordingly, there was a great rush of men, women and children, from all directions yesterday; and as I entered this city of logs last evening, intending to spend the day here, unless a boat should come to bear me on my journey, it seemed for a time doubtful whether I should do better for a lodging than to share one of the numerous tents erected among the tress, by families who chose to bring their own beds as well as provisions along with them.

However, I found hospitality, if not splendid entertainment in a Scotch family, where I passed the night in an apartment with a larger and less carefully assorted number of lodgers than would be thought either comfortable or decorous in New England, but which necessity has sanctioned here as being both the one and the other. It was a great pleasure to me to find Scotch piety as well as Scotch kindness. The "big ha' Bible" brought from Scotland, and the reverent blessing asked, and family prayers offered by the good blind man, who seemed to be the priest at the domestic altar, all told that they had brought their religion with them, from the home of their childhood to the home of their adoption. The humble, evangelical tone of the good man's devotions, though a glimpse might be had occasionally of the wild fanatical notions [he] had imbibed, showed that those notions were only an unfortunate excresence engrafted upon his piety, leaving it, as well as the main element of his faith untouched. Such, I believe, is true of thousands of professors of religion from all the Evangelical denominations who have been led away by worse men, and with more cunning than themselves. On [going] this morning to the edge of the bluff, I found crowds of people already assembled around the foundations of the Temple. They are well laid, and of large dimensions, about 120 by 80. Below, on the declivity, were the camps, wagons and horses of the numerous pilgrims who had spent the night among the trees, while the plain below presented the spectacle of six hundred and fifty armed men, women and children, looking on. After some show of reviewing, the preservation of a banner by some ladies &c., the whole "Nauvoo Legion" advanced up the hill accompanied by an immense procession. They were commanded by the Quarter Master General of Illinois, who in his new capacity of a Mormon convert, doubtless considers it his highest military distinction to head [this] motley herd even under the direction and authority of such a man as Smith. The latter presented the appearance of a prophet militant, being dressed in elegant military costume, riding a fine horse, and surrounded by quite a respectable staff, besides a life-guard of twelve men, mounted, dressed in white, and armed with rifles, pistols and knives -- a necessary retinue for a prophet who is an outlaw, having been demanded by the Governor of Missouri, as a criminal, a demand which his guard have promised with an oath to resist, even unto blood. I obtained a position just outside of the line of sentries established around the consecrated enclosure, from which I could see and hear all that passed -- and a most imposing scene it was, though with a touch of the ludicrous -- Here on a lone bluff in the wild west, were fifteen military companies, under an ecclesiastical organization, with an assembly of spectators variously estimated at from 5000 to 8000, and in the centre, surrounded by bayonets, was an ill-made, ill-bred man, decked in military garb -- an indicted criminal under the laws of Missouri, honored and guarded, and swelling with ill-concealed pride as the inspired organ of the divine commands, and the grand centre of all this strange pageant! -- Alas, for poor human nature! I have never before so well conceived the possibility of the Mohammedan, Swedenborgian, or any other prophetic delusion. Certainly, no false prophet or dreamer ever had shallower pretences to go upon, or a smaller capital in the trade of delusion, than this man; and yet he boasts of a train of dupes, amounting to between fifty and a hundred thousand. Probably even the smaller number is much above the truth; but it is undeniable that some in Europe as well as great numbers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and even New England, have been led captives in this triumph of stupid imposture. I say stupid, for so far as the ostensible leader is concerned, this epithet is not tendered [inappropriately] by whatever of low cunning he possesses. I am inclined to the opinion that Rigdon, who delivered the address on this occasion, is now in reality the master spirit of the humbug, and that he, rather than Smith, is the inspirer of the oracles which, for "purposes of state" the latter promulgates as the breathing of his own afflatus.

He is a man of much address and some talent. Having been a preacher among several sects, he now stands forth as the High Priest of this, under its great Prophet. He is a good person, and much self-possession, and stood up on a windy day in feeble health, before an immense assembly, with as much advantage of voice, action and ready utterance, as one in a hundred of our distinguished public men. -- There was of course, some rant and more sophistry in what he said, together with plenty of assertion without evidence. But the whole was skillfully managed. And when he enlarged upon the greatness of their God, and the glory of their Christ, and then adroitly conveyed the impression that it was for this belief that they had suffered the loss of all things, and even left the mangled bodies of their wives and children on the plains of Missouri, many substantial yankee emigrants around me were beguiled, and testified by their visible emotion, and suppressed words, that he had found and touched the right chord in their hearts. All that is really peculiar and offensive to their belief, he contrived to introduce without show of argument, in the wake of the common doctrines of Christianity which he had with eloquence presented as peculiar to their reed. On the whole, though the address probably made no converts, it doubtless confirmed the faith of those who were already duped, and certainly afforded one hearer an hour's amusement at the ingenuity, not unmingled with indignation at the hoary deceiver, and pity for the thousands who lent their credulous ears and their gaping attention.

What wonder, in view of such abuses of the right of "private interpretation" as this and its numerous kindred heresies present, that some should be found in Protestant America to sympathize with the new spirit of old popery in England.

And yet what has the [benign?] Swedenborg, the visionary Miller, or the lying Smith, [invoked] or [promised] more extravagant or unscriptural than the infallible Mother church has sanctioned, and enforced by the sword and the stake?
                                                      J. W. C.


Note: The exact date of the appearance of the above extract from the Boston Recorder is unknown. The letter itself is dated April 6, 1841 and the text is taken from a reprints published in the June 23, 1841 issue of the Pitttsburgh Christian Advocate and the April, 1843 issue of the Millennial Harbinger. The 1841 letter from Nauvoo provides no hint as to who "J. W. C." may have been -- he was, perhaps, some Congregational minister traveling through the "wild west," as he calls it.

Cruel Murder. -- Martin Harris, one of the earliest supporters of the Mormons, and the only wealthy man among them in their origin, has been murdered. He spent all he was worth in supporting the delusion under which he labored, furnishing all the funds for the publication of the Mormon Bible.

He abandoned the Mormons not long since, and delivered some lectures in opposition to their doctrines, and two or three weeks ago was found dead, having been shot through the head with a pistol.


Note 1: The exact date of the above news item is uncertain, probably it was published in the Traveller about June 21 or 22, 1841. The text was taken from a reprint in the Oct. 1, 1841 issue of the Times & Seasons, which was itself reprinted from the Philadelphia Public Ledger, which contained an extract from yet a third paper, the Philadelphia Chronicle, which quoted the original Traveller report.

Note 2: The Traveller took this news item from a June issue of the New York Journal of Commerce, adding some embellishment of its own to the story. As things turned out, the Journal of Commerce's 1841 reports of Martin Harris' death in Illinois were "greatly exaggerated." The man died decades later, near Logan, Utah.

 
(article on Elder Freeman Nickerson -- under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

                        For The Investigator
DISCUSSION  OF  MORMONISM.

Mr. Editor: Please to give the following notice an insertion:

The question concerning the divine inspiration of the Mormon Bible, which has been under discussion at Winchester Hall for the last four or five Sunday afternoons, remaining undecided, and but small progress having been made in the discussion in consequence of some persons participating in the debate who claim to be Christians, but who appear to be about as much Mormon as Christian, taking a portion of the Mormon Bible as part and parcel of the Christian revelation -- which course of proceeding greatly obstructs the hearer from coming to a fair conclusion on the subject in debate ---

Therefore, by mutual consent between Elder Nickerson, the Mormon preacher, and the subscriber, we have agreed to debate together the subject of Mormonism, the discussion to commence on Sunday next (August 1st) at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and to be continued on following Sundays, at the same hour and place, until otherwise agreed on, the respective disputants to make two sets of speeches alternately of 30 minutes each.   TYLER PARSONS.
Boston, July 28, 1841

---

DISCUSSION OF MORMONISM. -- The further consideration of Mormonism having been given up by the Free Discussion Society, it will be seem by the notice below that the debate is now to be continued by Elder Nickerson, the Mormon preacher, and Mr. Tyler Parsons, a member of the Society. The discussion will commence next Sunday forenoon, and be carried on and continued independent of the Discussion Society, which Society will hold a debate as usual in the afternoon. We invite attendance upon the Mormon discussion, satisfied from what we know of the candor and fairness of the debaters, that it will prove interesting and instructive. Let every subject that comes up in these stirring times -- Mormonism as well as every other -- have a full and honest investigation. We know of no other way to break down error and build up truth.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Book  of  Mormon.

The Subscriber has agreed to publish a Compendium of the Book of Mormon, or Joseph's Golden Bible, with the subject matter of all the arguments that have been made before the "Boston Free Discussion Society," on the question "The Book of Mormon -- Is there any internal or external evidence, or facts, to prove it Divine Revelation? Or is it not the writings of Solomon Spaulding and others, got up to impose on the ignorant and credulous, about the year 1827?"

The pamphlet will contain 100 octavo pages of closely printed matter. Price, 25 cents per single copy or 20 cents by the hundred copies.

==> All persons holding subscription papers will please return them as early as the 25th of September next. The pamphlets will be sent to subscribers by way of the agents who hold the subscription papers. As soon as 1000 subscribers are obtained the pamphlet will be published.
                                  TYLER PARSONS.
Boston, August 9, 1841.


Note: Tyler Parson's published his 102 page pamphlet, Mormon Fanaticism Exposed, A Compendium of the Book of Mormon... in Boston, late in 1841.

==> The first part of the book of Mormon is occupied with the history of the Nephites, a portion of the tribe of Joseph. They are described as having emigrated from Jerusalem many centuries ago, under the prophet Nephi, and having been miraculously led to America, where they became the progenitors of the Indian race. After the emigrants have sailed, they are described as mutinying against Nephi, as the Spanish crews did against Columbus, but they released him when a tempest came on, as he was the only person capable of working the ship. He is then represented as saying:

"And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed, the winds did cease, and the storms did cease, and there was a great calm."

The impostor who wrote the book was not aware that he was antedating the discovery of the needle's polarity by several centuries, and he speaks of the compass in such a way as to show that he was utterly ignorant of the nature of the implement. A Mormonite elder has unwittingly explained the probable source of this error; when pressed with this palpable mark of forgery, he unhesitatingly replied that the compass was mentioned in Scripture, quoting from the account of St. Paul's voyage, "We fetched a compass, (that is, took a circuitous course) and came to Rhegium." -- Athenaeum.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  SECOND  MAHOMET.

JOE SMITH is said to have declared repeatedly, that he would be a "second Mahomet." We infer from the military manifestations at Nauvoo and from other indications, that the meaning of that declaration is, that he will ultimately, like Mahomet, enforce belief in the divinity of his commission and revelations, by the sword. If this be his meaning, we have a word of caution for him. We advise him to bear in mind, that Mahomet lived some twelve hundred years ago, when physical force and military prowess were the prime elements of power, as they always are in the barbarous stages of human progress. Since Mahomet's time, the world has become intellectual and commercial. Statesmen and merchants have taken the place of warriors. -- There is almost as much difference between the present age and the age of Mahomet, as there is between a Yankee and an Indian. Mahomet adapted his operations to his age. He had a world of Indians to deal with, and he propagated his religion with Indian weapons. Hence he succeeded admirably for a time. But his mode of operation is not adapted to the present age. Mahometanism now has a world of Yankees to deal with. Hence it has ceased to conquer, and is tottering to its fall. So that Mahomet, though he was wise in his generation, was a fool on the scale of ages. He made no provision for the progress of the world. But Joe Smith, if he thinks of propagating Mormonism by the sword, is not even wise in his generation. He is blind not only to the progress of the world, but to human nature as it is; -- a fool on the small scale as well as on the great. He proposes to imitate the barbarism of Mahomet, though the world has manifestly outgrown that barbarism, and has left the mighty structure reared by it, "a wreck upon the shore of time." If Mahomet had lived in this age, his sagacity would have taught him to rely on science and commerce, instead of military power, for the conquest of the world. In fact, Mehemet Ali, who, more than any other man, is the present representative of at least the sagacity and enterprize of the Arabian impostor, has, in a great measure, merged the warrior in the statesman and the merchant. We advise Joe Smith to take a lesson from him, rather than from Mahomet. -- And if our counsel is not heeded, we advise those who suffer under any apprehension of the success of military Mormonism, to cast away their fears. It is very certain that the first flame of faith-compelling war on the part of " the second Mahomet," will be his funeral pile; though he have the 'Nauvoo Legion,' with the refugees of two Continents, and all the Indians of North and South America at his heels.


Note: Mehemet Ali (1769-1849), was the Ottoman Pasha of Egypt. In 1831 he revolted against Turkish and invaded Syria. This political change proved encouraging to Zionists who hoped to settle Jews in Palestine. In 1839 Mehemet Ali again revolted and claimed hereditary possession of Egypt and Syria. Eventually the Turks re-established their power in Syria and Palestine, but not until after the Holy Land had been "blessed" by the Mormon traveler, Apostle Orson Hyde -- that is, blessed for an LDS-approved gathering of the Jews back to their own homeland, under the improved political circumstances brought about by Mehemet Ali's revolts.

Letters  from  the  West.  No. 4.
BY A YANKEE TOURIST.

I proceed in this letter to redeem my pledge of giving some description of... the Mormon city of Nauvoo...

I shall not forget the bouyant feelings with which I jumped ashore at daylight, to foot it up to Montrose, of course expecting to meet the boat there before night and continue my journey... Had I [remained on board the steamer], it is true I should have lost the pleasure of a week's residence among the Mormons...

In addition to the city of Nauvoo and the adjoining county in Illinois, the Mormons have numerous settlements on the "half-breed tract." I found them scattered along the entire distance from Keokuk to Montrose. About half way between these two places there is a Mormon settlement called Nashville, containing some forty or fifty families; this I made my head-quarters, taking up my abode with a Mormon preacher, who is also a colonel of militia and as arrant a scroundrel as ever escaped the penetentiary... They affect great zeal for their religion, talk loudly about their persecutions for opinion's sake, and profess to believe the bible, the book of Mormon, the book of covenants and the divinity of Joseph Smith. They also profess to believe in dreams, visions, apparitions and miracles, and you can scarcely find one who will not tell you he has seen an apparition, or witnessed a miracle. One who manifested more intelligence than most of them, of whom I was making some inquiries regarding his belief, said to me "now I suppose you would doubt it if I was to tell you I had seen an evil spirit." I told him I would believe it or not according to the credulity of his story, and requested him to relate the occurance. I give it in his own words as near as I can recollect them. "I was out on the edge of the prairie one night during the winter of 1838, engaged in tending a coal pit. This was before I joined the army of the saints, [lengthy narrative follows]... This is a Mormon's account of his vision, which he related to me with so much gravity and such apparent conviction of its truth, that I was at a loss whether to consider him a knave endeavoring to impose upon me, or the unfortunate victim of a diseased imagination.

Having some curiosity to see Nauvoo, I procured a skiff and accompanied by one of the sect, crossed the river to that place. It is situated on the Illinois shore, directly opposite Montrose; as you approach from the water, it presents quite an imposing appearance; more that of a city that has had a generation for its growth, than one that has sprung up almost in a single year. It occupies an area of some two or three square miles, commencing at the bank of the river and running back by a gradual slope until it attains a considerable elevation in the rear, thus presenting from the river, a view of its whole extent. Besides the famous temple which is not yet completed, Nauvoo contains a number of substantial buildings scattered about among numerous cabins and shantees. It is laid out on a grand scale, with wide streets intersecting each other at right angles, and several ambitiuos public squares. The temple is a spacious structure of stone and brick, with no pretensions to architecture, its walls of immense thickness, and covering sundry underground cells. This building has created much speculation as to the object for which it was designed. Some suppose it to be intended as a sort of bastile, like the prisons of the Inquisition, and that these underground apartments are to be used as dungeons in which to incarcerate back-sliding or refractory brethren, others maintain that in addition to religious purposes, it is intended as a repository for provisions to be collected in anticipation of a universal famine with which according to Mormon belief, the Almighty is soon to visit the earth; others think it is to be used as a citidel in a war which the Mormons intend waging against the Gentiles as they call other Christians, as soon as they have gained sufficient strength to give them a chance of success. Many passages from the book of Mormon, the "covenants," and "the voice of warning," a work written by one of their "twelve apostles," are cited to prove the last supposition, and it seems quite probable from the pains which their readers have taken to perfect a military organization, and procure weapons, that they have an eye to some anticipated contest.

Their total disregard of the right of property, and frequent depredations upon their neighbors, have already exasperated the people of Illinois and Iowa, and there is every appearance of its soon leading to open hostilities. The population of Nauvoo is variously estimated; I judge it does not vary much from five thousand, and it is daily receiving accessions from all parts of the United States, and from Great Britain. Coming as they do from the most lazy, vicious and degrading class of society, no community will have reason to deplore their loss. How they are to subsist here, crowded together as they are, most of them destitute of means, is a question of much interest to their neighbors, as theft or starvation seem to be the only alternatives. Before leaving this place I called to see Joe Smith, their leader and prophet; and found him to be a plump, pursey, round shouldered, light complexioned man, thirty-five years of age, and about six feet in height, with a vulgar sensual countenance, and a head indicating strong passions, great cunning and moderate intellect; in short the very man who, from his personal appearance, would be selected among a thousand, for a bully to a ten pin alley, or to brag at a horse-race. And his appearance does his character no injustice, for in manners and conversation he appears the sensualist, the bully and the brag. On our return to Montrose, he took passage on our skiff; the river at this place is about two miles across, and the wind being high, created quite a swell, and several times was near swamping our boat; Smith remarked to me as a wave larger than ordinary struck against the skiff, "I suppose you are not afraid because I am with you," to which I replied, "that remark reminds me of the distinguished Roman's 'Quid times? verbis Cesarem!'" but my classical display was as completely wasted upon him, as if I had made it in the presence of [a] Sioux Indian, for though Joe by inspiration translated the book of Mormon frpm hieroglyphics which would have puzzled Dr. Anthon himself, his powers as a linguist seem to be limited to Mormonism. Joe, on this occasion, had taken care to provide himself with a bottle of whiskey, from which during our passage across the river, he moistened his clay from time to time, until he became quite communicative, so much so as to amount to loquacity; thinking this a good opportunity to get an insight into his real character, I said to him "Smith, you are too sensible a man to be duped by this book of Mormon, come, now confess frankly that it is a fabrication designed to impose on the credulity of the weak-minded." To which he replied with a wink evidently intended to convey the idea that he was a knowing fellow, "you don't see things as I do, and never can until you are filled with the right spirit." I then told him that it was charged against him that he would occasionally get intoxicated, and that I was inclined to believe the report, since his condition at that very time was by no means saint-like. "Oh," said he, "if I didn't now and then indulge in the propensities of humanity, my followers would forget that I am a man of passions with themselves, and I fear, would worship me as though I was Divinity himself." This is the man who in the nineteenth century is looked up to by thousands as a prophet of the Almighty, sent to re-establish God's church on earth. Since this interview with Smith, my estimation of humanity has fallen away many degrees. Propagating a doctrine the most absurd, this sensual, degraded being is making proselytes by thousands in the two most enlightened nations on earth, and the devotion of his converts to this false creed, seems to be commensurate with its absurdity.

After the success which this impostor, and his confederates have already met with, if Mahomet, unassisted by, and in opposition to the Holy Scriptures, could establish a false system of religion, which has [endured] for ages, is it a groundless apprehension to fear, lest this artful pretender, engrafting, as he has on the Bible, the wild and fanciful doctrines of the book of Mormon, may be laying the basis of an imposture, more inimical to true Religion, if not as extensively credited, as the delusion of the false prophet of the earth. This is a subject which demands the serious consideration of the statesman, the philanthropist and the christian, in order that the proper means may be devised of arresting the progress of this dangerous fanaticism....   YANKEE TOURIST.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMONS  IN  BOSTON  AND  VICINITY.

As every thing which relates to this unique sect is interesting at this time, we have concluded to give an account of their affairs in this city and vicinity. This information we have derived from Mr. Nickerson, the presiding elder in Boston. Their meetings are held at No. 82 Commercial street, on Sunday, at the usual hours of public worship, and are free to all. This church was formed on Wednesday, the 9th of March last, with little more than thirty members, most of which were baptized by elder Nickerson. The congregation has been large, and a great many have been obliged to turn away in consequence of the crowds which attend. In Chelsea, meetings are held occasionally, and one has been baptized. In Salem and vicinity about seventy have been baptized. In Medifield, Medway, Cape Cod, and many other places, meetings are also held. Mr. Nickerson says there never was such a call for preachers as at the present time. The church in Peterboro, Gilson, and neighborhood, numbers in all upwards of one hundred. What will the end be?


Note: The Dollar Weekly Bostonian began publication on Apr. 9, 1842, as the Saturday edition of the Boston Daily Ledger, (edited by W. Bartlett and published by Albert Morgan). Its masthead name seems to have been changed to "The Bostonian" before the paper ceased publication (late in 1842?). Both the Daily Ledger and the Bostonian appear to have taken a lively interest in the affairs of the Mormons in New England. The exact date of the above article has not been confirmed, but it probably came from the paper's initial issue of April 9th. The text reproduced above is taken from a reprint in the May 16, 1842 number of the Nauvoo Times & Seasons.

THE  MORMONS -- JOE SMITH,  THE  PROPHET.

Joe is decidedly the greatest original of the present day. He carries all before him when he undertakes an enterprise -- knows no impediment -- and never halts in his course till he has accomplished his object. His post, at the head of the Mormons, is a conspicuous one, and in a few years of such advancement as he has met with for the past year, will give him a numberless host of followers. We should not be surprised if Joe should become as omnipotent as ever the Pope was in his palmiest days. He is a genius -- and a rare one -- and all the armies of Satan, should they confront him in a solid phalanx, would be sure to meet with sore discomfiture, if not with complete annihilation. The true philosophy of goaheadity -- the quintessence of concentrated moral and spiritual energy-fears no combat-and although we cannot say it exactly courts danger, it never flies from the post of duty on its approach. -- We have so high an opinion of Joe Smith that we intend to open a correspondence with him in order to acquaint ourself with all his secret springs of action, and thus get all the secrets of his success, public and private, worldly and ecclesiastical.

The chapter from the recently recovered Book of Abraham, and the unique cut which illustrates it, on our outside, has occasioned us some expense; but we care not for that so long as we please our patrons, which we mean to do at all hazards, trusting to the good sense of the most enlightened public in this, or any other universe, for suitable remuneration.

The Mormons hold meetings in Boston regularly on the Sabbath, somewhere in commercial street, and are equally successful in saving souls, healing the sick and restoring sight to the blind. Meetings are also held in Chelsea, and the cause is on the increase in that place.

Will Elder Nickerson, or some of the brethren, furnish us with the statistics?


Note: The exact date of the above article is unknown, but it probably came from the issue of April 9th or that of April 16th, reproducing an earlier piece in the Boston Daily Ledger. The text provided above is taken from a reprint in the May 16, 1842 issue of the Nauvoo Times & Seasons. The editor of the latter adds these remarks: "It will be seen by several extracts taken from different papers, that the press is changing its tone a little, in regard to the subject of Mormonism; many of the most respectable, influential, and widely circulated periodicals are beginning to look at Mormonism... The first cut of a fac simile from the Book of Abraham, has been re-published both in the New York Herald, and in the Dollar Weekly Bostonian, as well as in the Boston Daily Ledger, Edited By Mr. Bartlett; together with the translation from the Book of Abraham. Mr. Bartlett says that he "intends opening a correspondence with us, that he may acquaint himself with our public and private acts." &c. we can assure Mr. Bartlett that we shall be most happy to put him in possession of any information that he may require pertaining to our society, as we have always courted publicity, and investigation, and chose light rather than darkness. -- ED."

LATTER DAY  SAINTS  AGAIN.

We have the pleasure to lay before our readers the following letter from Elder Nickerson, the presiding elder of the church of Latter Day Saints in Boston, who believes, to use his own words, that "wickedness will soon be swept from the earth, and that the day of universal righteousness will set in during this generation, when our offices shall all become peace, and our exactions righteousness:"

                                        BOSTON, April 11, 1842.
To the Editor of the Daily Ledger:

DEAR SIR: -- Observing a request in your paper for information of the situation and progress of the Latter Day Saints in Boston vicinity, I rejoice that I have this opportunity. The cause of truth is onward in this city and the region round about. I commenced preaching in Boston on the 30th of May last, in Winchester hall, in the forenoon, and in the afternoon took a part in the free discussion, which I followed for several months, when one of the number which was called infidels, began to believe in the truth of the Old and New Testaments, which the world calls Mormonism. The individual was Mr. Abijah Tewkesbury, who opened his shipping office, and seated it, for free preaching. He was the first that was baptized in Boston. Three others were baptized on the 9th of January, 1842. I have held fore and afternoon meetings at 82 Commercial street ever since. There was a branch organized in Boston, numbering thirty, including one elder and three priests, on the 9th of March. The great inquiry after truth still continues. Several are added to the church weekly. I have baptized in Boston and vicinity. Some from Maine, some have gone to sea in vessels, several in Lynn, four in Medfield, and seven in Cape Cod, and all are strong in the faith, and in good standing. I have baptized in all a little rising fifty persons. There are calls for preaching on every side.

We have meetings in private houses through the city, nearly every evening. People of all classes come to hear, and it is rare that one goes away dissatisfied. The honest in heart are coming out; and I think will every one join the church. There is likewise a branch organized in Salem. Brother Snow is preaching there. His church has sixty two members, and is increasing every week. There is one elder and one priest. Elder Maginn is preaching in Peterboro, Gilson, and vicinity, where there are several branches, numbering about one hundred. I understand twenty have been baptized in one day. A branch has been established also, in Northbridge, of upwards of thirty members, and is on the increase; Elder Swett presides.

I am now in Boston, and invite all the honest in heart, both priests and people, to come and hear for themselves, as I do believe the end of this age is near at hand, and the fulness of the gospel is preached, and the honest in heart, or the elect of God will be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and a new era, a reign of righteousness will commence on the earth, which will continue for a thousand years. If any, either priests or people, desire an interview for information, they will please give me their names street and number, and time that they would wish for me to come and see them, and if possible I will attend to the call with pleasure. Have you souls worth saving? If so, do not neglect to investigate. Paul's religion persecuted the saints, but the gospel of Christ, he was not ashamed of, for it is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe.

We believe in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ -- repentance-baptism for the remission of sins -- laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost -- with all the prophecies and blessings which did follow the ancient saints -- such as casting out devils in the name of Christ healing the sick, and so forth, which signs do follow many of those that believe, in the city of Boston. Come and see.
                                               FREEMAN NICKERSON.

P. S. Likewise the devil is cast out by the word of God, and the sick are healed by the prayer of faith, and anointed with oil, and the poor have the gospel preached to them without money; and I request the citizens and authorities of the city of Boston, to open a house for the servant of the people, that the Lord hath sent to this city to warn the people of the destruction which will take place in this generation, that is now on the earth, and teach them how they may escape, and come through and abide the day of the second coming of Christ, to reign on the earth a thousand years. Quench not the spirit, despise not prophecyings, prove all things, hold fast that which is good.
.

Note: The exact date of the above article is unknown, but it evidently came from the issue of April 16th or that of April 23rd. The text is taken from a reprint in the May 16, 1842 issue of the Nauvoo Times & Seasons.

THE  MORMONS, OR  LATTER DAY SAINTS.

This increasing but persecuted sect, it seems to us, are the only consistent sect now extant. They are the only sect who act up on strict accordance to the Scripture. They are in fact, the only sect who act as if they believed what they profess. In the last chapter of the Epistle of St. James, it is written: "If there be any illness among you, ye shall call for the elders of the Church, and anoint yourselves with oil in the name of the Lord." Here is a plain prescription for the cure of disease, coming directly from God, according to the professed belief of Christians; coming certainly from God, if the New Testament be a divinely inspired volume, Yet how few Christians there are who would not laugh to scorn the very suggestion to treat their sick in this manner! Instead of the elders of the Church, modern Christians send for a physician, and instead of anointing with oil, they dose the patient with drugs which were unknown to St. James or any of the apostles. Does not this neglect of the plain advice of scripture prove that modern Christians believe themselves wise above what is written, and that they are willing to set at naught one of the commands of an inspired Apostle, because they believe themselves wiser than he?

Not so with the Latter Day Saints. They act up to their professed faith.-Believing the Bible to be truly the word of God, and not a mere make believe system of religion, they abide by the commands of scripture in relation to their sick, as well as in relation to matters of mere theological faith. They believe that the Bible is just as good authority for one thing as another; that the command of God with respect to the treatment of invalids, is as worthy of obedience as his command with respect to the treatment of sinners; that God's work is as good authority in law and medicine as in theology. Orthodox Christians, on the contrary, despite the authority of the Bible with regard to all matters of science. They seem to consider the omniscient God as ignorant of every thing in the world except morals and theology. Hence, if his word says that all unbelievers are damned, they believe his word on that point, though our own reason declares that we are not accountable for mistakes of opinion. If, on the other hand, God's word declares, that the earth was created in six days, and that the sun and stars are mere lights in the firmament, set there to give light to mankind, Christians reject the idea, because it is contrary to science. They reject also the commands of God in relation to the treatment of the sick, because they are proved to be absurd by medical science and experience.

Not long since, a coroner's inquest was held in London over the body of Elizabeth Morgan, aged 55 years, whose death was alleged to have been caused through improper treatment by unqualified persons. She belonged to the sect of Latter Day Saints, and was treated during her illness, according to the usual custom of her sect, who agreeably to the commands of St. James, "pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord." What was the consequence of this literal obedience to the command of Scripture, in this Christian Land? After Elizabeth Morgan died, her body was taken by the Christian authorities, and inspected, in order to find cause for punishing her friends and attendants for their abiding by the directions of the Apostle, instead of sending for proper medical aid! The jury returned a verdict of "natural death," but took occasion to caution the sect how they acted in such cases for the future.

Now is it not evident from the proceedings in this case and other similar cases, that Christians, who call the Latter Day Saints a foolish sect on account of their literal obedience to the commands of Scripture, believe the commands of Scripture foolish in regard to almost all matters except those which merely concern one's theological faith? Is it not evident that they believe the omniscient God to be perfect ignoramus in all matters of science? O, ye generation of hypocrites! why do ye not throw away your Bible altogether, which commands men to do the very things which ye condemn as foolish and absurd?


Note: The exact date of the above article is unknown. The text is taken from a reprint in the June 1, 1842 issue of the Nauvoo Times & Seasons.

DR. WEST AND THE MORMONS. -- A discussion on the subject of Mormonism was commenced at the Marlboro' Chapel, on Monday evening between Dr. West and Mr. G. J. Adams, a Mormon Elder. The audience was numerous; and, for Christian people, as orderly as could be expected -- that is, rather boisterous. However the affair went off pretty well, and was, on the whole, quite interesting. The valiant Dr. did his best, but he got most essentially mauled and "used up." The Mormon, with the whole Bible at his tongue's end, bore down upon him with a torrent of Scripture that swept away his objections like chaff before the hurricane, and the doughty Dr. was fairly at a loss how to get hold of him. This practice of quoting Scripture is a knock down argument with Christians; and as it can be made to prove Mormonism just as well as any thing else, the poor fellows had to swallow it -- though we perceived that many of them made most awful faces. Mr. Adams is a perfect tearer on the Bible quotations; and the way he brought them to bear in confirmation of Mormonism, must have sorely puzzled many of the faithful. To the infidel, however, it afforded another evidence, if any were wanting, that the Bible, in regard to doctrines, as it is made to prove every thing, proves in fact nothing -- or rather, nothing that is consistent.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  VIEWS  OF  BAPTISM.

A mormon preacher was present at the discussion of the subject of Baptism, in the Newark Convention. At the close of it, he requested liberty, and was allowed, to give his sentiments on the subject. The following is a specimen of his reasoning. "Paul planted and Apollos watered. Plants will not grow unless they are watered; so men must be watered in order to be saved. This matter may well be compared to the working of a steam engine. The engine will not work without steam, so men cannot be saved without the Holy Ghost. But steam cannot be had without water; so men cannot get the Holy Ghost without baptism!" The preacher was a little disconcerted on being referred to Acts x. 44-48, where it appears that the Holy Ghost was given to the Gentiles before they were baptized.


Note: The convention referred to in this report was one involving religious Perfectionists at Temperance Hall in Newark, N. J. on May, 12-13, 1842. The LDS preacher's crude theological analogy probably made more sense to uneducated, working class Mormon converts than it did to Mr. Noyes.

The Latter-Day Saints have been giving two or three lectures on the beauties and benefits of Mormonism, with what success we have not heard. If they are left to themselves, and not brought into importance by opposition. The agitation will, we have no doubt, die a natural death. -- Cheltenham Examiner.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM -- SOME  CURIOUS  FACTS.

                                                 GROTON, May 23, 1842.

MESSRS EDITORS: Having noticed in a late number of the Signs of the Times, a notice of a work, entitled Mormon Delusions and Monstrosities, it occurred to me that it might, perhaps, be of service to the cause of truth, to state one circumstance in relation to the authentocity of the Book of Mormon, which occurred during its publication, at which time I was a practical printer, and engaged in the office where it was printed, and became familiar with the men and their principles, through whose agency it was "got up."

The circumstance alluded to was as follows: -- We had heard much said by Martin Harris, the man who paid for the printing, and the only one in the concern worth any property, about the wonderful wisdom of the translators of the mysterious plates, and resolved to test their wisdom. Accordingly, after putting one sheet in type, we laid it aside, and told Harris it was lost, and there could be a serious deflection in the book in consequence, unless another sheet like the original could be produced. The announcement threw the old gentleman into quite an excitement. But after a few moments; reflection, he said he would try to obtain another. After two or three weeks, another sheet was produced, but no more like the original than any other sheet of paper would have been, written over by a common schoolboy, after having read, as they did, the manuscripts preceding and succeeding the lost sheet.

As might be expected, the disclosure of the plan greatly annoyed the authors, and caused no little merriment among those who were acquainted with the circumstance. As we were none of us Christians, and only labored for the "gold that perisheth," we did not care for the delusion, only so far as to be careful to avoid it ourselves, and enjoy the hoax. Not one of the hands in the office where the wonderful book was printed, ever became a convert to the system, although the writer of this was often assured by Harris, if he did not, he would be destroyed in 1832.

I am well acquainted with the two gentlemen whose names appear on pages 50, 51, in the work referred to at the head of this article, and know the certificate above their names to be true. I have known several instances of the grossest impostures by them in their pretensions of working miracles, &c. &c., and am greatly surprised that such a man as Nickerson, of your city, can induce any rational person to follow in his pernicious ways.

Mrs. Harris, the wife of Martin Harris, was so familiar with the monstrous wickedness and folly of her husband, and the trio who were engaged with him, that she would not follow him, nor live with him. His conduct was not such as a man of God would have been. After he had been absent about two years, and frequent reports of his having power to heal the sick, &c., had reached his neighborhood, he returned, and assured his wife that he could cure her of deafness, with which she was afflicted. But as a condition of so doing, he requested her to put into his hands about $1500 of money which she had managed to secure out of the avails of his property, which he sold on joining the "Latter Day Saints" colony. She assured him he should have every dollar as soon as her hearing was restored. But he very wisely replied, he could "have no evidence of her faith until she put the cash down;" so, of course, she remained deaf, and Martin went back to the "promised land," with pockets as light as when he came.

This is, no doubt, one of the great deceptions which should come upon the people on the eve of the second coming of the Son of Man. Let the saints of God beware of them. Let no persecution or violence be opposed to them, but simply an avoidance, and we shall soon find them without faith.
                            Yours in the gospel of Christ.
                                                   J. N. T. TUCKER.


Note 1: It is practically impossible to determine, at this late date, if any of Tucker's recollections are true facts. If he was indeed "a practical printer," J. N. T. may have been a brother of Pomeroy Tucker, who once published the Wayne Sentinel and who worked in that paper's office in Palmyra -- where the book was printed during 1829-30. It is difficult to believe that Martin Harris would have been the person who dealt with the Palmyra printers on a daily basis, and especially so when Oliver Cowdery and Hyrum Smith are known to have supervised that part of the printing of the Book of Mormon which entailed supplying the text and proofreading the printing. It is likely that they took a sample copy of every form as it went through the press, just as John H. Gilbert did.

Note 2: On the other hand, Mr. Tucker's story may have some core of fact in it somewhere. A somehat similar, but very strange and obviously garbled version of Joseph Smith's "scribes" and the missing sheet was published as early as 1838, in England, Canada and America. See the Nov. 26, 1838 issue of the Philadelphia American Sentinel and the Dec. 15, 1838 issue of the Hartford Connecticut Courantfor copies of the tale.

GREAT  DISCUSSION  ON  MORMONISM

BETWEEN DR. WEST AND ELDER ADAMS,
AT THE MARLBORO CHAPEL.

MR. EDITOR: --

I understand that Mr. Adams is a native of New Jersey and for many years, a resident of the city of New York, where, about two years ago, he was converted from Methodism to Mormonism so called, or the doctrines of the self-styled "Latter Day Saints," since which time he has labored much on both sides the Atlantic, as he says "to bring others to a knowledge of the glorious work of the latter days." He is rather slim built, about 34 years of age, and his appearance before an audience must certainly give the lie to those who pronounce the Mormons all fools. Dr. West is a robust Englishman, about 50 years old, and he too, I am informed, once stood connected with the Methodist church, and had charge of some congregation in Canada; but in consequence of some singular transactions, he "took himself off," and ingratiated himself into the favor of the Episcopalians of Ohio, and under the especial patronage of Bishop Chase, performed some feats in England and "elsewhere," in consequence of which he again necessarily changed friends and patrons, and he now calls himself "one of God's volunteers," but what society (if any) he now stands connected with, is hard to determine, either from rumor or any answer Adams has yet forced from him. Whether his feats were of so glorious a character that one society sought to get him from the other, or so inglorious that each in turn sought to rid themselves of him, I leave for those that know better than myself to determine. So much for the belligerent parties, and now for the origin of this debate A certain religious society sent for Dr. West to come and deliver a course of lectures in this city against Infidelity and Mormonism. Accordingly while Mr. Adams was delivering his lectures in Boylston Hall, The Doctor announced bono publico in handbills, that he would furnish a reply to said lectures in Chardan Street Chapel, and show that Mormonism is made up of, and implien [implied] the principles of lying, fraud, blasphemy, theft, robbery treason and murder. Mr. Adams read the handbill before the public and challenged the Doctor to meet him on honorable ground, to discuss the subject of his charges, any time after the 19th inst. as his engagements in Lowell, Peterboro, and elsewhere precluded the possibility of his meeting him sooner. But while Adams is absent, a committee appointed by West and his hearers, announce in the papers that the Doctor having accepted a challenge, would discuss the subject in Marlboro' Chapel, which they have engaged for that purpose. Admittance by tickets at 12 1/2 cts. The Infidels also were invited to participate in the discussion, but as the rules were drafted by his committee, gave him about two thirds of the time, they declined being used as the cats paws to extract the shilling from the pockets of the people, to line those of West; therefore the Doctor occupied the house himself several evenings, and for aught I know, bore away the spoils, as of course he did the laurels, when there was none to pluck them from him. But Monday evening, the 20th inst. brought Elder Adams, agreeable to promise, to assist the Doctor in his discussion, before a large and respectable audience. The Rev. Mr. Taylor was called to the chair and two secretaries appointed. The odious portions of his rules were then brought before the audience and abolished. Twenty minutes were fixed upon for each speaker to occupy alternately. Relating to the funds collected, D. West opposed an equal division between the disputants, and Elder Adams therefore proposed to give the net proceeds of the debate to the Temperance Society -- instead of Dr. West first making that proposition as the reporter of "the Mail" stated. By the way, I would caution Mr. "Mail" to watch his dog, for he is very apt to bark up the wrong tree, and in reading his reports of the debate, I was inclined to think that he understood with his elbow or wrote 'many things that nobody could remember,' as he said of the secretaries. However, the question of the funds was referred to a joint committee, who at a subsequent meeting reported that they had agreed after defraying the expenses of the debate to give the rest of the proceeds to the Washingtonian Society. Now we come to the debate and what shall I say. The disputants reminded me of the paddy's flea, when he put his finger on him he was not there. They seemed to talk about any thing else but the chosen question, each accused the other of wandering from the subject, and neither the chairman, nor the audience, could keep them to it. But as the Doctor was to lead the way and prove his charges, he was the most censurable, as Elder Adams had to follow his wanderings or strike off another course. The Doctor is a master of language, and very sarcastic, but his proofs are all assertions, his arguments assumptions, his reasons ridicule; and he seems determined to frighten the Mormons away by looks and expressions of horror, and annihilate their system by a flower of rhetoric, appealing to the well known prejudices of the people, instead of their understanding. Three evenings have passed away and the auditors have been anxiously looking for the astounding arguments that is to show the blasphemous, treasonable, and murderous tendency of Mormonism; but still they have to console themselves with his assertion, that he can prove it. The only argument I collect of his producing as yet, to prove charges, is the testimony of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and others testifying to the advent of an angel, &c. which he pronounced blasphemous in this age. To which his antagonist replied that by the same rule, all prophets, apostles and inspired men of old, were blasphemers for testifying to the ministry of angels, and the manifestations of God to them. They had some dispute about the application of the 29th chapter of Isaiah, which was brought in support of the Book of Mormon, but Dr. West expressed great astonishment and aversion to the course of Mr. Adams in adverting to the bible to prove any thing pertaining to Mormonism; that of itself, he considered, if not blasphemous, a great insult to a christian community.

Elder Adams did not wonder that Dr. West wished him to let the Bible alone, for he well knew the result of investigating it. But he did not catch him there, for Adams quoted scriptures in such torrents as sometimes astonished the people, and made his antagonist writhe under it. Having no argument relating to murder, treason, &c. to refute, and being unwilling to follow West in his wanderings, Adams took up his time in briefly wiping off his sarcasms, and proving his doctrine from the Bible, which he seemed to have all on the end of his tongue.

The first evening he showed the falling away of the church from the primitive order of the Gospel, and the many corruptions, divisions, and traditions that had succeeded it, and that the various Protestant denominations were entirely dependent on the church of Rome for their authority to administer in holy things, unless they had new revelations, for there was no succession of priesthood after the apostles, unless through that channel.

The second night he referred to Genesis chap. xlviii, 14, 21-and chap. xlix, 22, 27, and other places; likewise to American Antiquities, to prove that the aborigines were descendants of Joseph, and then referred to Ezekiel xxxvii. 15-22, in proof of what he said. From the ancient custom of the Jews writing upon parchment and rolling it round sticks, he argued that the writing on the stick of Judah mentioned in the text, was the Bible coming from the Jews, and the stick of Joseph was the Book of Mormon written by the seed of Joseph. These arguments were not refuted.

The third night he quoted the 24th chapter of Isaiah, 5th verse, to prove that the christian world because of apostacy have broken the Gospel covenant, transgressed its laws, changed its ordinances, &c. hence the necessity of new revelations to renew the covenant and restore the priesthood. This too was left unanswered. The Doctor should have put forth his "strong reasons" before the discussion ended, but either he had none or could not bring them forth if he had. I hope they will be forthcoming, or I do not know but I shall be compelled to be a Mormon!

The discussion closed on Friday evening at 11 o'clock, having done immense good towards disseminating the doctrines of the Latter Day Saints. The audience were highly excited.   Q.


Note: Dr. George M. West seems to have made it his hobby to expose what he considered to be Mormon wrongdoings. A few months later (in September) he joined forces with the traveling John C. Bennett, to give audiences at lectures held in Boston and Salem a further dose of anti-Mormonism.

[GREAT  DISCUSSION  ON  MORMONISM]

In the haste of my remarks last week I briefly referred to the proceedings of the first three evenings of the discussion, but necessarily omitted several interesting features which I wish now to notice. The last paragraph of my communication which was inserted as the paper was going to press stated that the dissussion [discussion] closed on Friday night; but for want of time and room in your columns my sketches of the last two evenings were reserved till this week. Dr. West spent much of the second and third evenings in reading from a Mormon pamphlet containing a history of the rise of their church, of Smith's finding the plates and translating the Book of Mormon, and the testimony of eleven witnesses who say they saw and handled the plates, three of whom vouch for the correctness of the translation. All this the Dr. pronounced a humbug, and all pretension to revelations or miracles in this age, blasphemy! This was sufficient, he said, to fix upon Mormonism his charges, of Lying, Fraud and Blasphemy. This he relied on as one of his strong-holds and often referred to it, though he brought no scripture to prove his assertion. On the third night Elder Adams answered it as follows. He thanked the Dr. for introducing the narrative and the testimony of the witnesses, &c. as it saved him the trouble. The whole he said was correct and true, but why it was introduced at this stage of the discussion in proof of the charges, he could not imagine If the ground the Doctor assumed be conceded it of course fixed upon Mormonism the charges of Lying and Fraud, but that was the contested point which remained to be proved; and his assumptions were not arguments. Here the Rev. E. T Taylor, chairman, and many of the audience made themselves ridiculous by calling aloud for his proof in its favor. Mr. Adams replied, it was already proved if they would admit the power of testimony. No court of justice could require more than eleven positive witnesses to convict a man or establish any fact. Their testimony must be impeached and proved false, before the Doctor's charge can be fixed upon them. The Doctor contended that they were interested witnesses and therefore not to be believed. Mr. A. contended that if worldly interest were in view instead of honor, they had received calumny and detraction -- instead of wealth, and affluence, stripes and imprisonment; but if eternal interests were before them, he said no consistent man could be a disinterested witness of the things of God, none could say the eight writers of the New testament-on whose authority we believe that book -- were not interested in the things they affirm. Elder Adams referred to four or five prophesies in the Bible as parallel testimony in favor of the Book of Mormon, and his reasoning on them was very plausible. Father Taylor called him to order once because he thought he had made a wrong application of one of the prophesies. The merits of his argument not being a point of order, Mr. Adams very significantly replied he would discuss the subject with the chairman when he had done with his present antagonist. But the chairman became so interested that he forgot that Dr. West had spoken three times and Mr. Adams twice and was very anxious to adjourn, but after several remonstrances from different parts of the house, he put on his thinking cap and concluded that Mr. A. was entitled to another speech, but as it was late Mr. Adams said he should detain them but a few moments, and give the rest of his time, which he did, and the meeting adjourned. Previous to the adjournment, however, Father Taylor resigned the chair because the audience were disposed to be noisy; and some thought him partial, but he was forthwith re-elected, and Thursday evening he again took the chair.

Dr. West's chief effort the first part of the evening was to impeach the character of Smith and the Mormon witnesses, for this purpose he read from an old pamphlet what appeared to be a certificate from some twenty or thirty citizens of the state of New York, representing Harris and the Smith family as being money diggers, superstitious and visionary, and that they had no confidence in their pretended discoveries. He also read a long letter which he said was from a Mr. Tucker the printer of the first edition of the Book of Mormon. The letter stated that neither he nor the hands in the office, believed a word of the book, that they tried Smith by pretending to lose one of the sheets and got Smith to translate it over gain, and that afterwards they compared the two together, and they did not agree. The letter also gave an account of several failures by the Mormon Elders, in their attempts to work miracles, &c. the principal of which was as follows: One of their accomplices went before, and called upon a farmer-was sick, and pretended to die. Soon after two Mormon Elders came along, and proposed trying their skill in raising him. The farmer called in the neighbors to witness it, but he asked them if they could raise a man that was beheaded; they answered, yes; then said the farmer, seizing his axe, I will cut off his head, that the miracle may be more apparent and the proof more convincing. But the dead man declining the operation sprang upon his feet without their aid. This was the amount of the testimony by which the Mormon witnesses were impeached. In reply Mr. Adams said, the certificate from the citizens of New York was not half as bad as the Priests and Pharisees entertained of Christ and his apostles; that Christ told them that they should be hated of all nations, and Paul says: "we are counted as the filth and offscouring of all things." Harris, Smith, and others were not accused of murder, treason, robbery, theft, and other crimes, but of being 'visionary and money diggers.' The servants of God were always visionary; Stephen was stoned for seeing a vision; forty men bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink till they had killed Paul, because he said he had seen a vision and heard a voice. If Mr. Smith dug for money he considered it was a more honorable way of getting it than taking it from the widow and orphan; but few lazy, hireling priests of this age, would dig either for money or potatoes. This of course made Father Taylor take his toes again. Tucker's letter he pronounced wholly a farce; it bore marks of forgery or falsehood in every sentence; first E. B. Grandin was the printer of the 1st edition of the book, as the title page showed for itself, and if Tucker or any one else had pretended to lose and yet retained a portion of it, let it be produced; why is it kept secret, this twelve years and no one know any thing about it until now? As to the story of the dead man it proved too much. He was either dead, or the farmer and his neighbors were all fools. Who was the farmer? Who were the neighbors? What was the dead man's name, and that of the preachers? Where and when was it done? On all these subjects we are left to our own conjectures. Adams further said, if such men as Tucker or the farmer existed, tell us where and who they are; I will, furnish the money to bring them here, and we will have this matter settled; and I will pay Dr. West's expenses till it can be done.


Notes: (forthcoming)

There is still a higher series as regards the superstitions of the world. This is an amalgamation of sects, denominations, and superstitions. Zoroaster, Mahomet, the Christ of India and of Palestine, have done this, and Joseph Smith will do it. We predicted this long ago, and affirm it still. We predicted it when it was under deep persecution. We rested our prediction not on preternatural foresight, but on the fact, that the plan covered all the ground, and combined principles and motives exactly calculated to do it. The Jewish account; the Christian religion; a revelation, latter day saints; all gifts and graces; ecclesiastical honors; an armed, peaceful neutrality, well disciplined and springing up in the midst of a free people; points taking in all our large cities, and from the world a grand concentration forming in America! Say or do what we please, Mormonism is destined to become one of the most splendid superstitions ever devised. It has originated in an age of science, resting on originations in an age of ignorance, and it is this very fact which will sustain it. Fifty years hence, and you will hear this argument: -- 'What! Do you believe that Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Lord, could have been an imposter? Did he not spring up in an age of science and mechanical invention? Did he not proclaim openly to the world his mission? Sustain persecution and brave death for the sake of God? Did he not have visions and revelations? And who but a man divinely inspired, could, at a time when the whole world was deluged with vain and contradictory teachings, have conceived this one sublime faith and worship?' If it be urged that the thing was tested, to what does it amount? 'They were enemies and persecutors.'


Note: The exact date of the above item is unknown.The text is taken from the Times & Seasons of Sept. 1, 1842. The editor of Niles Register, on Oct. 1, 1842, reprints the same Investigator piece, and adds: "as a verification of the prophecy that the Lord would perform a strange work in these latter days, Joe Smith quotes in his paper... from the Boston Investigator, a deistical paper."

Trouble among the Mormons. The Burlington (Iowa) Hawk Eye says: "We understand by a private letter from Montrose, that Jo Smith has had a quarrel with Rigdon and Bennett, and that he has turned both of the latter out of the synagogue. Some hard swearing passed between these saints during the quarrel. Bennett threatens to write a book, for the purpose of exposing the rascality of the pretender to a spirit of prophesy. We hope the schism is incurable, as it is said to be.


Note: John C. Bennett responded to editor James G. Edwards' news item in a letter published in the next issue of the Burlington Hawkeye. Although the former "Vice President" of the Mormon Church produced copious reports on the indiscretions of Joseph Smith and his chief followers, the conservative Courier refrained from reproducing even a single droplet from Bennett's 1842 flood of anti-Mormonism. About the closest its editors came to referring to his published exposures was a brief notice, inserted into the issue for July 28th.

RIGHT.
_____

The papers from one end of the country to the other are rejoicing in prospect of a split in the ranks of the Mormons at Nauvoo. The story runs, that, "Major General John C. Bennett, is about making an expose of Jo Smith and the Mormons." The facts are these: John C. Bennett went among the Mormons and professed their religion. Great confidence was placed in him by the people, and several high offices were given him, among which was Mayor of Nauvoo, General of the Nauvoo Legion, &c. &c. Bennett was soon found to be guilty of gross improprieties: such as living in open fornication, &c. for which he was frequently reasoned with by the brethren, but all to no effect. He was threatened but it done no good. Finding all remonstrance in vain, and having their name and religion frequently sneered at on this account, the "Quorum of the Twelve" excommunicated him for his wickedness. They done perfectly right, and if all our churches would mete out the same reward to backsliders, there would not be half the scoffers and revilers of religion there now is.


Note: This item was probably published in the Bostonian on July 16th -- though its date may just as well be July 23rd. The text is taken from the Times & Seasons of Aug. 1, 1842.

The Mormons. We have received, says the Buffalo Commercial , the second number of Gen. Bennett's disclosures. It fully confirms all that the Sangamo Journal said of it. Such a mass of villainy of every kind made thick and slab with lust, was never before disclosed to the public. Gen. Bennett supports all his statements by reference to well-known persons and dates and by the affidavits of respectable people, and if the half of it is true, Joe Smith is one of the greatest scoundrals unhanged.

It is only just, however, to say, that to all appearances the accuser and the accused among these Mormons, are in parity of crime. It is a thief catching a thief; and statements on all sides must be taken with allowance. The loathsome details presented to the public by the seceding Mormon, Gen. Bennett, and which the Express, and, we suppose, other equally decent papers copy, are unfit for the public eye.   (New-York Journal of Commerce.)


Notes: (forthcoming)

I T E M S.

==> DIFFICULT TIMES AMONG THE MORMONS. -- Joe Smith has recently got into a broil with one of his chief men, which will probably occasion him some loss of his religious influence. The account of the matter, as we learn from the papers, is this: Smith, together with the authorities of the Mormon church, in May or June last, publicly withdrew the hand of fellowship from Gen. John C. Bennett. Bennett at that time was Mayor of the city of Nauvoo, and Commander of the Nauvoo Legion, and is stated to have been 'the Prophet's great gun,' Sometime after his excommunication, Smith publicly exposed his conduct and character, and cautioned the church and the honorable part of the community against him as " an impostor and base adulterer." On the other hand, Gen. Bennett has come out in the Sangamo Journal in a furious article, charging Joe Smith with being " king of impostors," "the great Mormon seducer," &c., and denouncing him in very harsh terms. he says "his licentiousness is unparaleled [sic] in the annals of time;" and that he makes this exposure under a threat of death from " the holy Joe and his Danite band of murderers." He also promises to give 'some important facts' hereafter. There is not much direct proof advanced by either party in support of his allegation; it is not improbable however, that there has been much truth told by both of them.

More recent accounts inform us that Gen. Bennett, continues to make disclosures of the licentiousness and villany [sic] of Joe Smith. The N. Y. Herald says -- "According to all appearances, there will be a civil war in Illinois against the Mormons. A most intense excitement has sprung up on both sides of the Mississippi. The Mormons have all the arms, big and small, of the state of Illinois, and will use them in their own defence, but will never give them up."


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS, OR "LATTER DAY SAINTS."
_____

You will doubtless recollect that some two or three weeks since I gave you a short sketch of the lectures delivered by Elder G. J. Adams, at the Boylston Hall, and also promised if he produced anything worthy of notice in his forth-coming lectures, that you should hear from me again. The reason of my so long delaying to notice this subject, is not that there was nothing worthy of notice in the lectures, but about the time I should have written, Mr. Adams, and his society were charged with Murder, Blasphemy, Lying, Fraud, Treason, and Murder, and I thought if they were guilty of these heavy charges, they were unworthy of any thing but the halter and hangman; however, since that time Mr. Adams has nobly met the man that made the heavy charges above named, and entirely freed himself and the society to which he belongs of every vestige of said charges; and the opposers of the Mormons, are left in shame, confusion, and disgrace, and the "the wonders of the new and everlasting covenant," as Adams calls it, is the great existing subject in Boston at the present time; and truly it can be said, they that turn the world upside down have come hither also. and the general cry among Sectarians is, "how shall we put them down; if we let them alone our societies will be shaken to their narrow foundations, and already they begin to tremble. Some of our best and most devoted members are leaving us and joining them."

Before I enter upon a short description of the lectures, I wish to notice one important item in the discussion lately held in the Marlboro Chapel; it is relative to the Bible being the rule or standard of evidence in their decisions on points of doctrine and principle. On the last evening but one of the discussion, to save time and come directly to the point it was moved by Mr. Seaver, (who is a Free Enquirer) that the disputants, Dr. West, and Elder Adams take the Bible as the standard of evidence. To this proposition Adams, the Mormons, and the Free Enquirers agreed, but Dr. West and his sectarian friends would not agree to it, and being most in number they voted down the proposition, yes, those very men that are continually crying "the Bible! the Bible! give us the Bible!" actually voted against the Bible, yes, voted it down for no other reason that the writer knows, only that it condemns them and their creeds. From the moment that vote was taken, I have been a determined opposer of sectarianism and priestcraft in all its monstrous and soul-killing forms, but a friend to the Bible, and Bible religion. The three lectures that I alluded to in my previous communication were on the subject of the Book of Mormon, the building of Zion, and the pouring out of the vials of the wrath of God, in the last days. On the subject of the Book of Mormon his arguments were clear and conclusive, plainly proving by many prophesies in the Bible that such a record must come forth before God could gather the Jews from their long dispersion. He particularly dwelt on the 29th chap. of Isaiah and the latter part of the 37th chap. of Ezekiel, commencing with the 15th verse. He then clearly proved the Book of Mormon to be the stick record or history of the descendants of Joseph that dwelt in this land, (America) separate from their brethren, in fulfilment of the predictions of Jacob and Moses, see Gen. 48th chapter, also part of chapter 49, from verse 22 to 26; also Deut. chap. 33d, verses 13-14-15-16-17. He argued from the above and many other passages of scripture, that the descendants of Joseph were to become, "a multitude of nations," and inhabit the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills," -- "the earth and the fulness thereof." He introduced an account of many American antiquities together with the discoveries lately made by Mr. Stevens that all go to prove that the American Indians were once an enlightened people and understood the arts and sciences, as the ruined cities and monuments lately discovered fully prove. He then declared that this record had not come forth in the place of the Bible, but in fulfilment of the Bible; that its coming forth clearly demonstrated that Jesus has been as good as his work, viz: he told his disciples he had other sheep that were not of that fold (in Jerusalem) and they also should hear his voice, for he was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,-and some of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, viz. -- of the tribe of Joseph being in America, it was necessary Jesus should visit them, as also the ten tribes in the "north country." He declared that Jesus did visit both the above named branches of the house of Israel during the forty days before his final ascension from the Mount of Olives, and that the Book of Mormon was not only a history of the dealings of God with the descendants of Joseph on this continent, previous to the crucifixion of our Lord, but also an account of the gospel as established among them by the personal appearance of Christ on this continent, and that the account of the gospel in the Book of Mormon agreed with the account in the Bible; thereby proving that the gospel of Christ is the same in every nation, composed of the same eternal truths, the same gifts, the same offices, the same ordinances, and every thing the same as when Christ has an organized church on the earth; and that the Book of Mormon had come forth as an "ensign to the nations," containing an account of the gospel in much plainness, being translated by the gift and power of God by the use of the Urim and Thummim, that had come forth with the plates that contain the record. He also stated that the plates containing the record had been hid up unto the Lord by Moroni the son of Mormon, the last prophet among the descendants of Joseph on this continent, that about the time this event took place, they had fallen into sin, and great wickedness; many of their cities had been overthrown by earthquakes, and they left to fall in ignorance and unbelief, until the "dispensation of the fulness of times," and that now their record had come forth, throwing a flood of light on the early history of this continent and would yet be hailed by every lover of truth, as one of the most glorious works of the nineteenth century.


Note: The exact date of the above item is unknown. The text is taken from the Times & Seasons of Sept. 1, 1842.

Gov. Carlin, of Illinois, is said to have made a requisition upon Gov. Reynolds, of Missouri, for the delivery of the person of General Bennett, charged by Jo Smith with high treason against the State of Illinois. This will delay proceedings against Jo until after the election. (St. Louis New Era.)


Note: The above report may be a bit confused in its portrayal of the facts. At about this time Gov. Thomas Reynolds of Missouri called upon Gov. Thomas Carlin of Illinois to extradite Joseph Smith, jr. to Missouri for trial. The warrant for Smith's arrest was served upon him at Nauvoo on Aug. 8, 1842. However, prior to this event, the LDS Bishop at Nauvoo, George Miller importuned Gov. Reynolds to take action against Bennett, based upon the report that Bennett had "entered into a conspiracy" with some Missourians to persecute the Mormons and drive them from their homes in Illinois. The article in the New Era appears to have confused the contents of these sorts of reports concerning the two governors.

Important from the Mormon Country. The St. Louis Republican has a letter from Quincy, Ill., which says: -- Since the election, Gov. Carlin has resolved to comply with the requisition of the Governor of Missouri, and deliver up Joe Smith and A. [sic] P. Rockwell. The Sheriff of Hancock county, elected at the recent election, being a Mormon, the writ was placed in the hands of the Sheriff of Adams county. The sheriff repaired to Nauvoo and arrested Smith and Rockwell, when a habeas corpus was issued by some of the Nauvoo authorities, and the prisoners taken out of the sheriff's custody and released. The sheriff had just returned to Quincy and reported the facts. Our informant says that it was currently reported, while he was writing, that Gov. Carlin was then in the act of issuing orders calling out the military to enforce the arrest, and it was expected they would march on the day following for Nauvoo. Our correspondent, however, expresses the confident belief that when the troops reach the city, Joe and his colleague will be among the missing.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons. The Cincinnati Microscope says: "We hear that after the Illinois troops had reached the city of Nauvoo, the prophet was not to be found, high or low, neither could a trace be found of Smith or Rockwell. In a few days we shall hear more from the Nauvoo country. It may be possible that Smith has only concealed himself, to gather his forces to resist the authorities of Illinois. He is a bold, reckless fellow, and we would not be much surprised to hear that a battle had been fought, by the next mail, between the forces of the Mormons and the State of Illinois."


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> A MORMON LEGISLATOR. -- Among the representatives elected in Illinois, is WM. SMITH, brother of Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet.

Notes: (forthcoming)

[We encourage] the silly women and sillier men who have been led captive by the imposter and his apostles [to attend Gen. Bennett's lectures at Marlboro Chapel]...

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

[Mormonism is] a cancer upon our free institutions... [the sooner it is] cut-off the better...

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

[Gen. Bennett is] of the opinion that if the Mormons at Nauvoo should be suffered to multiply for a few years more as fast as they have for a year or two past, they [will] be able to defy the armed hosts of the whole Union, the position of their city is so impregnable.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormonism. We notice that the individual alluded to in the following paragraph from the New-York Journal of Commerce, has advertised a course of lectures in this city. Other New-York papers represent his lectures as improper and disgusting recitals.

Gen. Bennett. We heard this expositor of Mormonism for a short time on Friday night. The General is not fitted to make a very deep impression, either by the intellectual or moral qualities which he exhibits. A considerable portion of what he stated was written on detached sheets of paper, and read rather poorly; and the gross facts which he stated were interspersed with eloquent reflections and quotations in prose and poetry. His stories of the lewdness whixh he says was practiced by Joe Smith and the other leaders of the Mormons, were told with a particularity, and a lear and length occasionally, which showed that the lecturer's mind was in a vulgar and debased condition, and totally destitute of that serious and stern disapprobation of crime which should characterize a reformer. If Gen. Bennett's statements were correct, Mormonism mist be a clumsy copt of Romanism as it existed at the time of the reformation, and as it exists now in some European countries. But we do not think that the General carried any very strong convictions to the minds of his audience, that what he said was conclusive evidence of the real state of things at Nauvoo. It is, however, a strange place, without trusting to Bennett's testimony; and the scenes which he relates are very like those which almost always occur in such assemblages of imposture and fanaticism.


Note: Although John C. Bennett was giving tempestuous public lectures on "Joe Smith and the Mormons" in Boston at the very time the Courier ran the above news item, the editors of the paper took no further notice of the man and his "disgusting recitals." When Bennett's lubricous volume, History of the Saints, was published in Boston by Leland & Whiting a few weeks later, the Courier ignored its newsworthy appearance altogether.

[At Gen. Bennett's lecture] a gentleman rose, and begged permission to read a sketch of the general's character... [from the Times & Seasons]... but the audience began to exhibit symptoms of contrary-mindedness, and the "exercises" of the evening were closed by an elderly Boston lady, who rose, and stated with feelings of indignation, that she had been in Nauvoo, and had learned by experience what bod men the pleaders of the Mormons were. They had taken from her upwards of fourteen hundred dollars! The audience seemed inclined to tarry awhile, and talk the matter over, but, the lights being extinguished, they made for the street.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM -- GEN. BENNETT, &c.

Five feet nine inches high, with black eyes, black hair sprinkled with gray, dark complexion, and rather a thin face, -- such, as nearly as we could judge by lamp light, was the aspect presented by this would be notable personage, the other evening, in Marlboro Chapel, Boston. We hardly knew, after all, what to think of him and his purposes. His manner does not impress us, as that of one actuated by any very high and noble impulses. Yet, that all he is saying and doing is falsehood and forgery we are not at all inclined to think. That he read sundry documents that were genuine we have no manner of doubt. That his original instigation to what he is doing, is the purest in the world, we must confess we do not believe. -- However, be his motives what they may, we have no question he is in possession of evidence laying open no small amount of villainy. We have before expressed our opinion, that the major portion of those who have joined the Mormon body, have done so in simple sincerity of intent. But that many of those in high places among them are very far from single hearted, we are impressed by Gen. Bennett, let him or his design be what they will. We did not like his manner, his aside comments, his ejaculations, -- and we liked just as little the boisterous applause rendered to his readings or remarks. Still, an impression was left by the whole and this though not very favorable to the speaker, yet decidedly gave us to believe that roguery the most scandalous attaches to Jo Smith, if to no others of the Mormon chief ones. Gen. Bennett read, from various newspapers, accounts of crimes committed by Mormons. This might, peradventure, be well for the public, however it might show for General Bennett himself. It is well that truth be revealed, whatever be the mind of its revealer. -- He then related several advances of a disgusting character, made by Joe Smith to women of Nauvoo. If truly stated these were abominable enough, since they were instances of borrowing the cloak of religion to effect the devil's purposes. We are inclined, from the total impression made on us, to believe that he told what actually occurred. And 'twas vile enough, to be sure. He then read a letter, which taking the entire impression made on us, we incline to hold authentic, written by Joe Smith to Miss Rigdon, in explanation, (as he called it) of proposals he had previously made her. 'Twas not without a certain devilish talent, skillfully employing holy words, and striving to make black appear white, -- an effect it might possibly have wrought, had the person addressed believed with undoubting assurance, the writer to be a holy man.

On the whole, after taking pains to listen two evenings to Gen. Bennett, we came away with no pleasant impressions. The leaders of the Mormons -- especially the leader -- are, we verily believe, knaves. And knaves of a class the most detestable, too seeking to win indulgence in the two very basest passions, Lust and Avarice, through the highest of all sentiments-the Religious! In pity's name, if there be any within reach of our voice of warning, let them keep away from Nauvoo! Religion is the highest and best. But, if cheated and betrayed through means of pretensions of this class, we are in peril of being stricken with a deadly chill! At least, let any, who have a leaning this way, pause for a time. This can do no harm. Light will ere long penetrate every nook and corner of Nauvoo. If we have the opportunity of information we will use it.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons. A statement in the western papers contradicts, under oath, the pretended revelations of J. C. Bennett, formerly of the Mormon Society, and shows him up as an offender against decency, who having been punished for his faults, now wishes to take vengeance upon his judges for their righteous decisions.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> We believe the following, or the substance of it, was published by the Spy a year or two since. But under existing circumstances, we presume most of our readers will be glad to see it again:

ORIGIN  OF  MORMONISM.

The origin of this band of fanatics who have excited so much attention recently at the west, affords another lamentable instance of the comparative ease with which the strongest fraud and most glaring imposition may be palmed on individuals, even in the most intelligent community, and how liable, even persons in other matters of some discrimination, are to be transformed into silly dupes of arrant knaves and impudent pretenders. The founders of this sect professed to obtain the book of their faith from plates of brass brought from Heaven by an angel to the celebrated "Joe Smith," who has succeeded in numbering among his disciples, in all perhaps, some thousands of all ages and sexes. The real origin of this book until within a few months was never discovered clearly to the public, although it was evident that knavery was used in obtaining it, as the first propagators of their tenets are men remarkable for their shrewdness. This "Book of Mormon," or "Golden Bible," is well ascertained to have been the production of the Rev. Solomon Spaulding, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and formerly pastor of a Presbyterian Church on the Western Reserve in Ohio. While suffering under a disease, to amuse himself and friends, he wrote an imaginary history of the mysterious race of men who built the ancient mounds and other works of art, which are scattered so profusely over the valley of the Mississippi.

This manuscript having surreptitiously fallen into the hands of these artful and designing men, was used for the furtherance of their scheme of aggrandizement and pecuniary profit, by building up a new set of fanatics. The Rev. John Storrs of Holliston, Mass., learning that the widow of Mr. Spaulding (now Davidson, having since Mr. S.'s death married a second husband) was still living at Monson, Mass., and could testify to the fact, addressed her a letter, and obtained the following narrative, which is published in the Boston Recorder.

(reprints Boston Recorder article of Apr. 19, 1839)

Notes: (forthcoming)

The wife (or widow,) of William Morgan of Anti-Masonic memory, is at present a Mormoness; having become the wife of one Harris, a chosen friend of Joe Smith; and who is now dwelling among the latter day Saints at Nauvoo.


Note: Lucinda Morgan and George W. Harris were married in Nov., 1830 at Batavia, New York. Exactly when George became "a chosen friend of Joe Smith," is unknown -- possibly it was as early as the mid-1820s.

Arrest of Joe Smith. An extra from the Quincy (Ill.) Whig, dated 8th inst, says: -- We understand the Governor has received information that Joe Smith is in custody at Carthage, and that he is to be brought before Judge Douglass, who is there holding Court, on a writ of habeas corpus, for the purpose of trying the validity of the Governor's writ of arrest. From the course things are taking, it is not improbable that the same farce played off two years ago, in which the same parties were interested, will be re-acted again in the present instance.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons. It seems to be verified that Joe Smith has actually been arrested, or has surrendered himself into custody. The Springfield (Illinois) Journal, however, suspects that his surrender was not made until he was tolderably well assured of a speedy release by habeas corpus, or some other trickery. The same paper contains a formal renunciation of Mormonism, signed by ten members of the Missouri Church, who declare that they have been "most scandelously imposed upon in matters and things of a divine character." Oliver H. Olney, late a preacher of the Mormon doctrines, has also renounced all connexion with the "Latter Day Saints," as they call themselves, having been a witness to the corruptions and debaucheries of their leaders.   (Commercial Advertiser.)


Notes: (forthcoming)

ARREST OF JOE SMITH. -- An extra from the Quincy (Ill.) Whig dated 8th inst., says: -- "We understand the Governor has received information that Joe Smith is in custody at Carthage, and that he is to be brought before Judge Douglass, who is there holding court, on a writ of habeas corpus, for the purpose of trying the validity of the Governor's writ of arrest. From the course things are taking, it is not improbable that the same farce played off two years ago, in which the same parties were interested, will be reacted again in the present instance."


Notes: (forthcoming)

The  Mormon  Bible.

The recent appearance of the disciples of Joe Smith among us, makes it a duty to put the community on guard against the delusion of the Mormon sect. The pretended inspiration and revelations of their high priest Joe Smith are too much a matter of history and too ridiculous to require a recital here. Among other strange matters he makes his followers believe that the manuscript of the Golden Bible or Book of Mormon; was discovered by him in Ohio [sic], after having been hid in the earth for many centuries.

The Mormon preacher now in town has handed us one of tracts, from which we make the following extracts: -- Ports. Jour.

"We consider the 'Book of Mormon' a historical and religious record, written in ancient times by a branch of the house of Israel, who peopled America, and from whom the Indians are descended. 'The Book of Mormon' corroborates and confirms the truth of the Scriptures by showing that the same principles were revealed and enjoyed in a country and among a people far remote from the scenes where the jewish bible was written." *  *  *

"The Book of Mormon opens the events of ancient America. It pours a flood of light upon the world on subjects before concealed -- upon the history of a nation whose remnants have long since dwindled to insignificance in midnight darkness, and whose former greatness was lost in oblivion, or only known by the memains of cities, palaces, temples, aqueducts, monuments, towers, fortifications, unintelligible inscriptions, sepulchres and bones. The slumber of ages has now been rolled up. The veil of ibscurity has been removed as it regards the world called new. The ancient events of America now stand revealed in the broad light of history, as far back, at least, as the first peopling of the continent after the flood. This discovery will be hailed among all nations as among the most glorious events of the latter times and as one of the principal means of overwhelming the earth with knowledge."

The true history of this "Book of Mormon" as we have it from undoubted authority, is given below. Who is there after reading it, will not pity the weakness of the deluded creatures who have been led to believe that it is of divine origin -- and will yet detect the wickedness and knavery of the men of better judgment who practice the delusion upon their dupes.

Rev. Solomon Spaulding[,] graduate of Dartmouth College, in about the year 1812 was a resident at New Salem, in Ohio. In the town there are numerous mounds, and forts, supposed by many to be the dilipidated dwellings and fortifications of a race now extinct. These ancient relics arrest the attention of the new settlers and become objects of research for the curious. Numerous implements were found and other artifacts evincing great skill in the arts. Mr. Spaulding being an educated man and passionately fond of history, took a lively interest in these developments of antiquity; and in order to beguile the hours of retirement and furnish employment for his lively imagination, he conceived the idea of giving an historical sketch of this long lost race. -- Their extreme antiquity of course would lead him to write in the most ancient style, and as the Old Testament is the most ancient book in the world, he imitated its style as nearly as possible. His sole object in writing this historical romance was to amuse himself and his neighbors. As he progressed in his narrative, the neighbors would come in from time to time to hear portions read, and a great interest in the work was excited among them. It claimed to have been written by one of the lost nation, and to have been recovered from the earth, and assumed the title of Manuscript Found. The neighbors would often enquire how Mr. Spaulding progressed in decyphering "the manuscript," and when he had a sufficient portion prepared he would inform them, and they would assemble to hear it read. He was enabled from his acquaintance with the classics and ancient history, to introduce many singular names, which were particularly noticed by the people and easily recognized by them. Mr. Solomon Spaulding had a brother Mr. John Spaulding, residing in the place at the time, who was perfectly familiar with this work and repeatedly heard the whole of it read.

From New-Salem he removed to Pittsburgh, Pa. Here Mr. Spaulding found an acquaintance in the person of Mr. Patterson, an editor of a newspaper. He exhibited his manuscript to Mr. Patterson who was much pleased with it, and borrowed it for perusal. He retained it a long time, and informed Mr. Spaulding that if he would make out a title page and preface, he would publish it and it might be a source of profit. This Mr. Spaulding refused to do for reasons which need not be stated. Sidney Rigdon, who has fogured so largely in the history of the Mormons, as one of the leaders and founders of the sect, was at this time connected with the printing office of Mr. Patterson, as is well known in that region, and as Rigdon himself has frequently stated. Here he had ample opportunity to become acquainted with Mr. Spaulding's manuscript and to copy it. At length the manuscript was returned to its author, and Mr. Spaulding deceased in 1816. The manuscript then fell into the hands of his wife and was carefully preserved. After the "Book of Mormon" came out, a copy of it was taken to New-Salem, the place of Mr. Spaulding's former residence, and the very place where the "Manuscript Found" was written a woman preacher appointed a meeting there, and in the meeting read and repeated copious extracts from the "Book of Mormon." The historical part was immediately recognized by all the older inhabitants, as the identical work of Mr. Spaulding in which they had been so deeply interested years before.

Thus a fanciful romance with the addition of a few pious expressions and extracts from the sacred Scriptures, has been constructed into a new divine revelation! The imposture of Mahomet was practised upon an ignorant people -- and many were compelled to adopt his sentiments by the edge of the sword -- but that such open imposture should be freely countenanced in this enlightened age and community, is most wonderful. The unfortunate individuals who are the dupes of Mormonism are generally innocent harmless persons who have not sagicity enough to prevent themselves from being fleeced by the imposters to whom they give ear.

Gen. Bennett, in a work just published shows that the Mormon sect in morals are similar to the Cochranites, who were well known in this section a few years since. "The shameful promiscuous indulgences allowed among the Mormons," remarks a writer acquainted with the subject, "will undoubtedly have the effect of attracting among them scores of lewd fellows who will have no difficulty in shamming belief in their doctrines, for the sake of the fine field there afforded for the gratification of their peculiar propensities."

The Pennsylvania Inquirer says:

"A gentleman recently from the Mormon region, assures us that many of the victims of Joe Smith, are English farmers, mechanics, and labourers, who, utterly deluded and deceived by the false prophet, confide their money to his keeping, and are not likely to hear anything of it thereafter. Doubtless hundreds who leave England for Nauvoo, are deceived by the plausible fabrications of knavery, and do not discover their error until after they have been plundered of their hard earnings."


Note: The above article unfortunately adds no unique information to the subject matter discussed -- even its mention of the New England Cochranites bearing some resemblance to Mormons is uninformative.

MORMON  CONFERENCE.

The great Mormon Chiefs met in Conference, at Boylston Hall, on Thursday, Feb. 9th, at two p. m. The number of officials was, 16 Elders, 5 Priests, 4 Teachers, and 3 Deacons, together with a large and respectable assembly of all sects and denominations, both Infidel and Christian, who assembled at an early hour, to hear the wonders of the new and everlasting covenant, The Conference was opened by singing and prayer by Elder G. J. Adams, when, on motion, Elder Adams was called to the chair, and Elder E. P. Maginn was chosen Secretary. The Prest. then stated in a brief manner the object of the Conference, which was for the purpose of spreading the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, throughout New England, and was followed by Elder E. Snow, whose object appeared to be to disabuse the public mind in relation to signs and miracles, showing their real object, which was for the benefit of the Saints. He also showed the inconsistency of their opponents in circulating such foolish reports concerning them, instead of coming out and meeting them with the word of God, upon the broad platform of honorable investigation. Two or three others of the faithful followed on the same subjects. The Conference then adjourned to two p. m. on Friday. In the evening the public were addressed by Elder Derby on the subject of baptism. Friday Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with singing and prayer, by E. P. Maginn. The Prest. then called upon the presiding Elders to represent the different branches composing this Conference, which was done...

... in the short space of about fifteen months, a society that was only known among us by report, now actually numbers near one thousand in this immediate vicinity, and their preachers seem imbued with a spirit and determination to carry every thing before them; for, in fact, they all seem to have the Bible at the end of their tongue. After the representation of the Churches, they adjourned to two p. m. on Saturday. On Friday evening the congregation was addressed in a very able and lucid manner by Elder Maginn, on the subject of sins and wonders. On Saturday, agreeable to appointment, the Conference was opened by singing and prayer by E. Snow, after which a number of the faithful were called by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, to the different offices, such as elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. The officers were then addressed by the Prest., on the order of the church, and the object of God in establishing it by revelation in these last days; followed by Elder E. Snow on the same subject. Those that were called, were then ordained with great solemnity, under the hands of Elders Nickerson, Snow, and Adams-after which, on motion, resolved, that licenses be granted to said officers, signed by the Prest. and Secretary. -- The Conference then adjourned, sine die. In the evening we had an able discourse on baptism for the dead, from E. Snow. On Sabbath morning, at nine o'clock, the ice was brushed away, and eight of our citizens were very decently buried in the river, after the ancient order, by Elder Adams, who seems a perfect water fowl. The great congregation was addressed in the morning by Elder Maginn, on the subject of the false spirits that was to come forth in the last days, for the overthrow of mystic Babylon; and he proved the impossibility of the religious world being able to discover between true miracles and false ones-and that they were not given to make men believe, but to edify the Church. In the afternoon, five elders gave their testimony to an immensely large crowd of people, who seemed much pleased; after which the ordinance of confirmation or the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures was attended to in a very impressive and solemn manner, by elders Maginn, Adams and Snow. In the evening, Elder Snow gave us a rich treat, on the apostacy of the Church, and the establishing of the "the new and everlasting covenant in these last days," for the bringing in of everlasting righteousness, and the salvation of the world. I have given you a true sketch of the movements of this new and curious sect in this vicinity. My motto is, live and let live. If the Mormons can be put down by Scripture and reason, let them go; but let us never attempt to put them down by persecution and religious bigotry: let us prove "all things and hold fast that which is good," -- hear a matter first, and then judge.


Note: This was the first of several Boston Daily Bee and Boston Daily Bee articles reproduced in the Times and Seasons during the spring and summer of 1843.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEEKLY BEE.

Dear Sir, -- I wish through the medium of your valuable paper, to make some remarks concerning the Latter day Saints or Mormons, as people in general appear to be entirely ignorant of their doctrine. I had been led, from out door and newspaper reports, to believe they were people of the worst character-a sect who denied the Bible and substituted another book in its stead; and in short, that they were every thing that was bad. Curiosity led me to their meeting at the Boylston Hall and I can truly say I was astonished and most agreeably disappointed. First a beautiful hymn was read and sung. Then a Prayer, apparently sincere, solemn and impressive, was offered up to that God whom Christians profess to worship-the blessing of Heaven was invoked upon all men, of every sect, creed and denomination; after which a text was chosen from the New Testament, from which the speaker descanted at considerable length; and I must say I never heard a more able sermon. His reasoning, was logical, philosophical, and easy to be understood. Passage after passage seemed to flow like a torrent to prove this position. He contended that the Priesthood which was lost when the Church went into the wilderness, has been restored by the ministering of Angels -- and that this is Christ's Church re-organized; and having Apostles, Prophets, &c. and also the gifts and blessings, such as healing the sick, &c. &c. in ancient times -- and that Joe Smith is a Prophet chosen of God to lay the foundation and be instrumental in carrying on the great work. That this Gospel must be preached unto all people before the second coming of Christ, which from the signs of the times it is expected will be in this generation. They also preach baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, as practised anciently. The doctrine certainly appears to be plausible, consistent and in accordance with that laid down in the Scriptures. I have been induced to make these remarks from a conviction that this people have been grossly slandered and defamed. If they are imposters, as has been so often represented, or if their doctrine be false, let the public know it before more of the unwary are imposed upon. Let some of our learned Divines come out against them and publicly discuss the subject; it is their duty to do so, that if there be error or falsehood, the public may be disabused. If they are wrong the world ought to know it; and if they are right, it is of vital importance that their doctrine should be widely disseminated.
                                                    A Seeker after Truth.

---

Review of the Mormon Lectures.

Agreeable to previous appointment, on Thursday evening, Jan. 19th, Elder Adams made his appearance before an immensely crowded house to give a history of his visit to Nauvoo, the Holy City of the Saints. He commenced by quoting the words of Pilate to our Lord, viz: "what is truth?" and said he had taken a good text, and intended to give nothing but plain facts; said he was well aware of the deep rooted prejudice that existed in the minds of many against his people, but he felt extremely happy to have an opportunity of standing before such a crowd of the enlightened citizens of Boston, in defence of the truth. After various preliminary remarks, concerning his journey to Nauvoo and defeating Dr. West in discussion, he drew a line between Joseph Smith the Prophet, and John C. Bennett the apostate, proving the prophet to be one of the most noble hearted patriots and the earth, and John C. Bennett one of the most degraded, polluted, perjured scoundrels that now live. He then spoke of the great Temple at Nauvoo, that is (when finished) to become the glory of the western world, which will probably be accomplished in about two years. Then came a description of the twelve Oxen carved as large as life, to be overlaid with fine gold, on which rests the baptismal fount, that is used especially for baptising [baptizing] those afflicted with various diseases, and also to baptise for the dead. He then gave a powerful, a soul stirring and an eloquent appeal, in behalf of the doctrine of baptism for the dead; his reasoning on that subject was unanswerable. He then turned to the Bible and proved the doctrine to be Scriptural and glorious; he did this with perfects ease. Talk of the Mormons believing the Bible! they believe all the truths in our Bible and nearly half a dozen others. Next came a description of the Nauvoo house, a splendid edifice now being erected for the accommodation of illustrious visitors that may call at the Holy City from time to time. He then spoke of the industry, temperance, virtue and integrity of the Saints in general, and related two or three witty anecdotes, illustrating the character of the Prophet, and settling him in a very favorable light before the public. He next touched upon the falsehoods, slanders and misrepresentations, under which this infant Church has been compelled to struggle for years; and closed by making a strong appeal on the subject of the persecutions, privations and almost unparalleled suffering his brethren, and especially the Prophet, had been forced to pass through in the establishing of the glorious dispensation of the fulness of times, that was finally to usher in the great Sabbath of rest. The speaker carried every thing before him; and no man said why say you so-although full opportunity was given at the close. By the by Mr. Bee, I want to sting Elder Adams a little for his own good, for the comfort of his hearers, and, if Mormonism is true, for the benefit of coming ages: I mean in regard to his loud speaking; for the way he uses his lungs, is a caution to Yankee sinners, and unless he reforms, he wont last long, I hope a word to the wise will be sufficient.

P. S. In my next, I will give you a short sketch of his original sermon on the parable of the Prodigal Son.
               Yours truly,
                                 A Lover of Truth.


Note: This was one of several Boston Bee articles reproduced in the Times and Seasons during the spring and summer of 1843. The actual date of publication may have been a week later.

WHAT  DO  THE  MORMONS  BELIEVE?

This is a question often asked, and the following sketch from the pen of Elder Adams, the big gun of Mormonism in these parts, will throw some light upon the subject: --

A sketch of the Rise, Progress and Faith, of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormons.

The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was first organized in the state of New York, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, on the sixth day of April. At its organization, it consisted of six members. The first instruments of its organization were Joseph Smith, Jun. and Oliver Cowdery, who received their authority and priesthood, or apostleship, by direct revelation from God-by the voice of God-by the ministering of angels-and by the Holy Ghost. -- They claim no authority whatever from antiquity, they never received baptism nor ordination from any religious system which had previously existed; but being commissioned from on high, they first baptized each other, and then commenced to minister its ordinances to others. The first principle of Theology as held by this church, is faith in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, who verily was crucified for the sins of the world, and who rose from the dead on the third day, and is now seated on the right hand of God as a mediator, and in the Holy Ghost who bears record of them the same to-day as yesterday, and forever. The second principle is Repentance towards God; that is, all men who believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are required to turn away from their sins, to cease from their Evil Deeds, and to come humble before the throne of grace with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The third principle is Baptism by immersion in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, for the remission of sins with the promise of the Holy Ghost, to all who believe and obey the gospel. The fourth principle is the laying on of the hands in the name of Jesus Christ, for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This ordinance is to be administered by the apostles or elders of the church, upon all those who are baptized into the church. Through these several steps of faith and obedience, man is made partaker of the Holy Ghost, and numbered with the children of God. Through this process man is adopted into the church and kingdom of God, as one of his saints; his name is then enrolled in the book of the names of the righteous, and it then becomes his duty to watch, to pray, to deal justly, and to meet together with the saints as oft as circumstances will admit of it; and with them to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the broken body, and shed blood of Jesus Christ; and in short, to continue faithful unto the end, in all the duties which are enjoined by the law of Christ. Fifth, it is the duty and privilege of the saints thus organized upon the everlasting gospel, to believe in, and enjoy all the gifts, powers and blessings which flow from the Holy Spirit. Such for instance, as the gifts of revelation, prophesy, visions, the ministry of angels, healing the sick by the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus, the working of miracles, and in short all the gifts as mentioned in scripture, or as enjoyed by the ancient saints.

This is a brief outline of the doctrine of this church, and we believe that it is the only system of doctrine which God ever revealed to man in a gospel dispensation, and the only system which can be maintained by the New Testament.

Now as far as all other modern religious systems differ from the foregoing principles, so far we disfellowship them. We neither recognize their priesthood, nor ordinances as divine. But at the same time we wish well to the individuals of all societies; we believe that many of them are sincere, and that they have the right to enjoy their religious opinions in peace. We do not wish to persecute any people for their religion. But we wish to instruct them in those principles which we consider to be right, as far as they are willing to receive instruction, but no farther. We also believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testament are true; and that they are designed for our profit and learning, and that all mystical and private interpretation of them ought to be done away;-that the prophecies, and doctrine, the covenants and promises contained in them have a literal application, according to the most plain, easy and simple meaning of the language in which they are written. We believe that the scriptures now extant to not contain all the sacred writings which God ever gave to man, for it is easily demonstrated, that they contain but a small portion indeed of the things which God has made known to our race, for it is evident that a communication has been kept open between God and man from the days of Adam to the present day, among all nations, kindreds, tongues and people; except such communication has been withheld by reason of transgression. Thousands of communications were received during the progress of these writings, besides those which are written in it, and thousands of communications have been received since the Bible was completed. Thousands of communications, and in other countries remote from the scenes where the Bible was written. And in short the Holy Ghost is a spirit of revelation and prophecy, and wherever it has been enjoyed by mankind, there communications from God have been received.

We therefore believe in the Book of Mormon, which is an ancient American record lately discovered, containing a sketch of the history, prophecies, and doctrine of the ancient nations who inhabited this country. And we also believe in many communications which God has been pleased to make us in the rise and progress of this church, as he has often revealed his word to us, by visions, by dreams, by angels, by his own voice and by the Holy Spirit of prophecy and revelation; and lastly, we believe that God will continue to reveal himself to us until all things are revealed concerning the past, present, and future; until we have come in possession of all knowledge, intelligence or truth, which is in existence. We believe that the Jews and all the house of Israel will soon be gathered home to their own lands, from all the countries where they have been dispersed, and that they will become one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel, never more to be divided or overcome, and that they will all be brought to the knowledge of God, and will become a holy nation. We also believe that Jesus Christ will come in person, in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and all the saints with him to reign on the earth a thousand years, and that he will destroy the wicked from the earth by terrible judgments at the time of his coming. We also believe that the saints will rise from the dead at this second coming, and that they will live and reign on the earth one thousand years. We do not believe that the wicked will rise from the dead until the thousand years are ended, but that their resurrection is after the millennium and connected with the last judgment. We further believe that the restoration of Israel and Judah, and the second advent of Messiah are near at hand, and that the generation now lives who will witness the fulfilment of these great events, and that the Lord has raised up the Church of Latter Days Saints, and has set the truth in order among them as a commencement of the great restoration. For further particulars as to our doctrine and principles, I refer the reader to a work entitled The Voice of Warning, which is particularly designed as an introduction to our faith and doctrine. I must, however, before leaving the subject, contradict certain reports which are in circulation concerning our principles in regard to property. It is a current report, and often credited by those who have no acquaintance with our society, that we hold our property in common. This is a base falsehood without a shadow of truth.-The members of this church have ever held their property individually, the same as other societies, with the exception of that which they freely give for the use of the society, to minister to the wants of the poor, and for the building of houses of worship, &c. The property thus given is managed by proper officers, who render a strict account for all their incomes and expenditures, and who have no right to apply one shilling for any other purpose than that for which it is given.

Having given this brief sketch of our religious principles, we will now proceed to our account of the rise and progress of the church until this present time. After the church was organized as stated in the foregoing, they gradually increased in numbers from that time until June, 1831; the whole church numbered near two thousand. A general conference was then held in Kirtland, Ohio; and was attended by something like sixty of our preachers. From this time until 1835 it rapidly spread throughout all the United States of North America, insomuch that in 1836 branches of the church and general conferences had been organized throughout this vast republic, and at the present time the number amounts to over 50,000. In the latter part of the same year it was introduced into Toronto, Upper Canada, when it soon spread through that province; and in 1837, several of the elders sailed to England, under the direction of O. Hyde and H. C. Kimball, where they soon baptized between one and two thousand; from that time the work of the Lord has rapidly spread through England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and we have now flourishing societies in the principle towns and cities of Great Britain; numbering over twenty thousand. This glorious message has also spread into Germany, a part of France, and reached even Constantinople, Jerusalem, the East Indies, and islands of the seas. -- It is still spreading in every country where it is known, and we anticipate a time not far distant, when a knowledge of the great work which the Lord has set his hand to do in these last days will be enjoyed by all the nations of the earth, for to this end was it sent into the world. The apostles and elders of this church have a special mission to fulfil to every nation, kindred, tongue and people under heaven, and this is the gospel of the kingdom which was to be preached for a testimony unto all nations, and then shall the son of man come. If the people oppose this great mission, it will only injure themselves; it will not hinder the rolling forth of the work of God, or the fulfilment of this purposes, for he has set his hand a second time to bring about the restoration of Israel, with the fulnes of the Gentiles.

---

Mr. Editor, Sir -- As you have (in justice) given the Mormons a chance to defend their principles from the attacks of those who are ignorant of its true tendency, and some who from self interest, or what is worse, join in the cry of the hounds and huntsmen against the flying and defenceless stag -- for no other reason under heaven than because they see others do it. I think if they reflect for an instant on the unmanly, despotic and unjust principle of persecuting the innocent, without knowing the 'why and wherefore' -- I say if our calumniators reflect, they will say you have done what justice and honor requires of man-given us a weapon to defend (what is dearer to us than life) 'the immortal part of man,' our reputation.

I thought myself (three weeks ago) an unchangeable infidel, and lived with a family that some of its members were of the Mormon faith. I had an opportunity of witnessing their private meetings, and every thing connected with them. I have heard General Bennett's lectures, and left not a stone unturned to find its character. I have argued with their elders on the truth of the Bible, and ridiculed their belief with every argument of science, philosophy and convictions of common sense, and accounted for their revelations and miracles as common effect, from a common cause-the works of 'a mind diseased.' Yet I have always given them credit for honesty, from the very fact of their suffering for principle's sake. Show me a christian denomination in existence that are so liberal in their principles as the 'poor deluded Mormons.' They believe that every honest man, who acts up to the principle of reflection, and obeys those dictates of conscience that show him wrong from right, will be saved, no matter what his belief -- whether Turk, Jew or Heathen. And surely if God is just, he will not condemn a man for his belief, when he thinks from his heart he acts right.

The Mormons do not want persons to believe all that they do, as is falsely affirmed -- they do not want to ram Joe Smith or revelation down people's throats, without their knowing for themselves: all they want is to obey the words of Christ for the remission of sin. They want to terrify no man into belief. They do not say it is sinful to read Shakespeare or Byron or any book that you get an exalted idea from, as your judgment (if you have any) will point out the good from the bad. Let those who contend that the writings of these giants of genius have an immortal tendency, remember there never yet was a general good without a partial evil.

We are charged with advocating a plurality of wives, and common property. Now this is as false as the many other ridiculous charges which are brought against us. No sect have a greater reverence for the laws of matrimony, or the rights of private property, and we do what others do not, practice what we preach.

A conversation I had with a friend, soon after joining the Mormons, will strongly illustrate public opinion, and show in what light men ought to be held, who condemn without knowing for what, and have only the same reason to offer as Bardolph had for running away -- 'faith I ran when I saw others run.'

'Mr. R___, why did you join the Mormons?'
  'Because I thought they were right.'

'Well, I never thought you were a fool until now.'
  'And why do you think I am a fool now?'

'Because you joined the Mormons.'
  'How does that prove me a fool?'

'Because none but fools would join them.''
  'Why do you think so?'

'Because every one says so.'
  'Do you know any of their principles?'

'No-but I know they cannot be good.'
  'How do you know?'

'Because every one says so.'
  'Do you think I am dishonest?'

'I know you are not.'
  'Well, before I was a Mormon, I did not believe in God or devil; yet I was considered an upright man -- and now as I believe as you do, in Christ and the remission of sins, you call me a fool; do you not think I can judge for myself?'

'I know you can.'
  'Why then do you blame me for using my judgment.'

'Because every one says they are humbugs, and they are scouted out of every place.'
  'Then your reason is this: because you see a dog running down the street, with an appendage to his tail, and people shouting and pelting him with stones, you pick up a stone also and pelt and shout after the poor animal; and you call me a fool, because I know the master of the ill-treated dog, and strive to remove the appendage, and protect the poor brute from such treatment.'


It is thus we are condemned without a hearing, and persecuted without a cause.

As a parting word, I would suggest a sentence which no sophistry can refute; and let our calumniators remember they are the words of Christ. 'Judge not, lest ye be judged.'
                           I remain, sir, your obliged servant,
                                     H. R.


Note: This was one of several Boston Bee articles reproduced in the Times and Seasons during the spring and summer of 1842. The exact date of publication has not yet been determined.

IMMERSION. -- The Mormons had another baptismal ceremony at the Railway on Monday evening, when twenty-five new members were added to their fold. This sect is increasing very rapidly in this vicinity, under the zealous activity and enthusiastic preaching of their 'great gun,' Elder Adams.


Note: This was one of several Boston Bee articles reproduced in the Times and Seasons during the spring and summer of 1843. The exact date of publication has not yet been determined.

==> A Mormon elder in Boston is preaching against Millerism!


Note: William Schouler (1814-72), was the proprietor and editor of the Lowell "Courier in 1841-47, after which he became the editor of the Boston Daily Atlas. Schouler evidently took a personal interest in Mormonism and its origins, and his paper problished several articles on that subject.

MORMONISM.

                                          Nauvoo, Ill., March 14th, 1843.

To the Editor:
Sir, --In gone-by years, and long before I had heard of the prophet "Joseph Smith," and, indeed, before he had existence, I had formed some very curious ideas about the ancient prophets. From reading their history in the Bible, I supposed they must have been men of no ordinary proportions; or, if so, that there was something about them different from other men, by which they might be distinguished at sight. As a matter of course, I thought they must have had grey hairs for a covering to make them appear very dignified, and beard as long as a Jew; for if they shaved, it would shew that they were men; and could I have had the privilege of looking at one, I should have expected to have seen him clad in sheep, goat, bear or wolf skin, wandering about on the mountains, like the beasts he had robbed of their garments; lodging in the caves and dens of the earth, and subsisting on the fruits and nuts of the forests. A being too holy, too sanctified, too exalted , by his high calling, to appear in the habitations or among the society of men, unless he had some important message to communicate direct from Heaven; some revelation or commandment to promulge to his fellows, and then he would just come forth, and cry out, like the beasts in the wilderness, with so much sacred sanctity that every body would know he was a prophet; and if, by nothing else when they saw his nails like bird's claws, and his hairs like eagles feathers, and his face and hands as filthy as a baboon; for it never occurred to me that clean hands, in administering before the Lord, as mentioned in the Scripture, meant any thing more than a good conscience, and I had never supposed but that a man could worship God just as acceptably, all covered with dirt, and filth and slime, as though he had bathed in Siloam every hour, until I heard the Mormon prophet lecturing his people on the subject of neatness and cleanliness, teaching them that all was clean in Heaven, and that Jesus was going to make the place of his feet glorious, and if the Mormons did not keep their feet out of the ashes, they could not stand with him on Mount Zion.

I had no thought before but that dirty people could get to Heaven, as well as clean ones; and if the priests offered sacrifice with polluted hands, the fire would cleanse both the offering and the hands that offered it. I cannot say how much there may be in Scripture to contradict my views, neither can I vouch for it that the churches of the day believe any such doctrine, for I never belonged to any of them, but have rather been called an infidel. As to that I have not altered much. I like consistency, find it where I may.

With all these curious notions, I fell into the Mormon settlement, and saw the prophet, but having never heard a Mormon preach, you can imagine me not quite ready to receive all the impressions incident to an interview with such a distinguished personage, but I will give it as I find it, hit or miss the faith or feeling of any one.

I have had an interview since my last, and found any thing but the truth of current reports. "The prophet Joseph," (as he is called among his people,) said in a conversation with a gentleman present, that he no more professed to be a prophet, than every man must, who professes to be a preacher of righteousness, or a minister of the New Testament. To be a minister of Jesus, a man must testify of Jesus; and to testify of Jesus, a man must have the spirit of prophecy; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. -- If a man professes to be a minister of Jesus, and has not the spirit of prophecy, he must be a false witness, for he is not in possession of that gift which qualifies him for his office; and the difference between himself and the clergy of this generation is, he claims to be in possession of that spirit of prophecy which qualifies him to testify of Jesus and the gospel of salvation; while the clergy deny that spirit, even the spirit of prophecy, which alone would constitute them true witnesses or testators of the Lord Jesus, and yet claim to be the true ministers of salvation.

In this, said he, I am honest, and they are dishonest, and that is the difference between us. Were they true and honest witnesses of Jesus Christ, they would acknowledge they have the testimony of him, and that is the spirit of prophecy, and every man who possesses that spirit is a prophet. I, said he, claim no more than what every servant of Christ must possess, to qualify him for his office; while the clergy of the 19th century deny that which alone could constitute them what they profess to be. He said he did not profess to be a very good man, but acknowledged himself a sinner like other men, or as all men are, imperfect; and it is necessary for all men to grow into the stature of manhood in the gospel.

I could not help noticing that he dressed, talked, and acted like other men, and in every respect the perfect counterpart of what I had conjured up in my imagination for a prophet.

The Mormons have not yet completed their great Temple, and have no commodious place of worship, but the apostles and elders preach in private houses on the Sabbath, and at other times, though I seldom attend these latter meetings; but when the weather will admit, they meet in the grove, or on the rough floor of the basement of the Temple, and then the prophet frequently preaches. On one of these occasions I heard him preach concerning the prodigal son.

After naming his text, the prophet remarked, that some one had asked him the meaning of the expression of Jesus, "among those born of woman there has not arisen a greater than John," and said he had promised to answer it in public, and he would do it then. "It could not have been on account of the miracles John performed, for he did no miracles; but it was,

First, Because he was trusted with a divine mission, of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Who was trusted with such a mission, before or since? No man.

Second, He was trusted, and it was required at his hand, to baptise the Son of Man. Who ever did that? Who ever had so great a privilege or glory? Who ever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, beholding the Holy Ghost descend upon him in the sign of the Dove? No man.

Third, John, at that time, was the only legal administrator, holding the keys of power there was on earth. The keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory, had departed from the Jews; and John, the son of Zachariah, by the holy anointing, and decree of heaven, held the keys of power at that time."


Note: This was one of several Boston Bee articles reproduced in the Times and Seasons during the spring and summer of 1843. The exact date of publication has not yet been determined.

M O R M O N I S M.

Dear Sir -- I have for some time past, been a regular attendant at the meeting of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, held at the Boylston Hall -- and have thought I would give you some account of how those people are getting along. When Elder Adams left here, some weeks since, for the City of the Saints, where he had been called by the heads of the church, it was supposed that no one could be found competent to fill his place -- that the meetings would decline -- Mormonism die away, and finally sink into its original nothingness. Not so, however-no sooner had this lion, as he was called, left the field, than his place was supplied in the person of Elder Maginn. Before proceeding, let me give you a description of this man. He is 24 years of age, though his appearance is that of a man farther advanced in years, caused probably by the many hardships, privations, persecutions and mobbings, which he has passed through for the gospel's sake. He is six feet in height, and of rather a commanding appearance; and honest, happy smile plays over countenance, which, (if I am any judge of the "human face divine") indicates that all is right within; and if a thorough knowledge of the scriptures, talent, tact, sound reasoning, and powerful argument, are qualifications, then Elder Maginn is fully qualified for the duties of his office, and must pass as truly a master workman. He seems perfectly intimate with all the old apostles and prophets, and it is truly astonishing with what facility he quotes the scriptures from memory, giving chapter and verse, with the greatest ease, and correctness. On Sunday last, he delivered a most able discourse on the subject of prophesies already fulfilled, from 2d Peter, 1st chapter, 20th and 21st verses: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation, for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but by holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost:" And went on to prove that from the days of the first prediction to the present time, every prophesy has had a literal fulfilment. He commenced with the days of Noah, Genesis vi: 17, and showed that had Noah understood this spiritualizing system, and supposed the flood of water was to have been a spiritual one, the ark a spiritual ark, &c. &c., Noah and his family must have perished with the rest of the inhabitants of the world. But no-he believed -- when God said "And behold I, even I do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life from under Heaven, and every thing that is in the earth shall die." He meant to do just what he said he would do, and nothing else; and the sequel proved that Noah was right in thus believing. He next referred to Genesis, xv: 13 to 16th verses -- and also to Lot's leaving Sodom, Genesis xix: 12th verse. He next quoted the prophecy of Joseph, Genesis 41st chapter, 29th verse, and showed that misery, sorrow, suffering, death and mourning, would have followed had they believed there was to have been seven years of spiritual plenty and seven years of spiritual famine, only. He then carried us forward to the history of the principal nations, vide Jeremiah 25th chapter, 20th verse. It is out of my power to follow him through, or give even a faint outline of this most noble address. Passage after passage, plain and positive, from Holy writ, were brought forward in rapid succession to prove that all prophecies that have been fulfilled were fulfilled literally, and that those yet in the future must also have a literal fulfilment. His reasoning was plain, logical and conclusive to the mind of every candid hearer; and I much regret that I am not better able to portray his most convincing and able lecture. He remarked that the days of those prophets, are by the sectarian world called the "Dark Age;" whereas men were in fact far more enlightened than even the great divines of the present day, with all their boasted wisdom, knowledge, and pretended piety. Those men were as familiar with the designs of God, and the future destiny of nations, as we are with the history of past events. Instead of darkness, God revealed himself to man, conversed with him, told him what should come to pass in future ages -- where, we are now told that God has ceased to give revelation to man -- that prophesying is done away -- that the only guide necessary is a brief history of certain events which transpired centuries ago, and certain prophecies which they contend mean any thing but what they profess. Enlightened indeed! when the church is cut up into some hundreds of sects and parties, each differing from the other; the blind leading the blind, and all under the dominion of bigotry, superstition and priestcraft; the mind of man shrouded in worse than Egyptian darkness. Could we look down through the dark vista of time and foresee future events as did the prophets of old, then could we boast of living in an enlightened age; but whilst we deny revelation, we are, and must continue to remain in darkness and error.

In the evening, he took up the subject of God's promise to Abraham, that he would give to him and his seed the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession-see Genesis, 13th chap, 15th v.; 15th. 18th v.; 17th chap. 8th v. -- Exodus, 6th chap. 4th v. He then showed that Abraham had long since died, and that God's promise to him had never been fulfilled, as he proved by Acts, 7th chap. 5th v.; as well as by an abundance of other testimony. He then showed that according to most of the doctrines of the present day God's promise never could be fulfilled, inasmuch as they denied a literal resurrection of the body, and a reign of rest during the millennium, but professed to believe that when the spirit left the body, it soared away to some fairy region "beyond the bounds of time and space," or, (as he ingeniously transposed it) beyond the bounds of common sense; and could never return to possess the earth; -- that he had never given Abraham any inheritance in that land, no, not so much as to set his foot on, although he had promised it to him and to his seed. That he was long since dead, and that consequently God's promise must fail. He then on the other hand proceeded to show that Abraham (although long since dead) and his seed would yet possess the land of Canaan according to God's promise. He then produced a flood of scriptures to prove the literal resurrection of the righteous at Christ's second coming, and that they should possess the earth, and live and reign with Christ during the millennium. He quoted Ezekiel's prophecy in the valley of dry bones, 37th chapter, and contended that this prophecy meant just what it said-vide 11, 12, 13 and 14th verses, and fully and plainly proved, that notwithstanding the opinions of the learned and wise revelation denyers of the present generation, God would keep his promise to Abraham, and that he and his seed should possess the land of Canaan for an everlasting inheritance. He concluded, by giving notice that on Sunday next he would be again with them, "in the power and demonstration of the spirit," and preach on the subject of the great army of Gog and Magog, which shall gather together against the saints in the last days. I shall not fail to be present and would respectfully ask you, Mr. Bee, knowing you to be a man of a candid and unprejudiced mind, to go and hear him. Prove all things and hold fast that which is good.
                                              Yours, &c.,
                                                     A SEEKER AFTER TRUTH.


Note: This was one of several Boston Bee articles reproduced in the Times and Seasons during the spring and summer of 1843. The exact date of publication has not yet been determined.

MORMONISM vs. MILLERISM. -- Joe Smith, we speak reverently, the Mormon Prophet, has announced to them that are of a fearful heart, that the World will not come to an end in 1843. Inasmuch as the earth is not yet prepared for the reception of the Latter Day Saints!


Note: For related reports see the Feb. 1, 1843 issue of the Nauvoo Times & Seasons. See also the Lowell Courier of Mar. 7, 1843 for a contemporary news item.

M O R M O N I S M.

Mr. Editor: -- On visiting Boylston Hall , as usual, on Sunday last, I missed Elder Maginn's honest countenance, and in his stead was a stranger, who, I was informed, is called Elder Willey. I was somewhat disappointed, but as I am "seeking after truth," I care not from whom or from what quarter it comes. I determined to pay every attention to what was said, and seated myself with pencil and memorandum book in hand, for, Mr. Editor, I always take notes of chapter and verse, and when I go home, take down my Bible and examine whether they have told me truth; and if I ever do catch them misquoting, or trying to deceive the people by preaching any other doctrine but that contained in the Bible, I'll expose them-the way I'll serve them up will be a caution -- General Bennet's expose will be no touch to it. -- But to return to Elder Willey. He commenced by saying that he meant to take the Bible for his text, and the contents of his sermon; and I was much pleased to hear the manner in which he quoted from that good book. He took up the subject of the restoration of Israel and certainly handled it in a masterly manner. He spoke with much energy and appeared to feel and mean just what he said. He contended that Israel would be restored, and as I have not time, and do not wish to trespass too much on "Every body's Corner," I will briefly quote some few of the many passages he cited to prove his position, so that any of your readers who feel an interest in these things may examine for themselves. But first, he quoted John, chap. 5, v. 39; "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me" and then enquired, "How are we to search them? and found an answer in Romans, 15, 4, 2d Peter, 1, 19, to 21; John, 17, 17; Amos 3, 7, - and that taking "thus saith the Lord" for a definite assertion-a figure for a figure and a parable for a parable, a rule was laid down by which to work. He then, to show that Israel would be restored, proceeded to quote and briefly comment on the following texts: Jeremiah, 12, 14 to 17; Isaiah, 11, 11; Deut., 30, 1 to 9; Jeremiah, 16, 21; Isaiah, 40, 1 to 5; 43, 1 to 7; 49, 10 to 23; Jeremiah 30, 3 7 and 11; 31, 3 to 13; Ezekiel, 34, 22 to 31; 29, 21 to 29; 37, 21 to 28; 36 34 and 35, Hosea, 14, 4 to 7; Amos, 11, 15; Psalms, 144, 5 to 15; Joel, 3; Zachariah, 2, 4 to 13; 10, 6 to 12; 12, 8 to 11; 14 ch.; and several other passages, but perhaps when the reader has attentively examined the ones above mentioned, he will be convinced of the fact that the Jews will be gathered back to Jerusalem, that that city will be built up and that they shall again possess the land from which they were driven.

Elder Willey, I understand, has been in the church almost ever since its formation. He has labored much and suffered much: he was in the midst of the Missouri persecution; he has been buffeted, ill treated and imprisoned; robbed of property to a considerable amount-his all. The cold earth has often been his bed, while his weather-worn valise served for a pillow and the canopy of heaven for a covering.-Cold and hunger are not unknown to him. Yet, he has braved all for the gospel's sake, and is now rejoicing that he was considered worthy to suffer. Can all this be delusion or imposition? or is it the work of God that these men come to proclaim? I can only say that if it is the work of God, all the combined powers of earth and hell, hireling priests and devils, cannot stop it; and if it be the work of man -- if it be delusion or imposition, it will come to nought and must soon be numbered with the things that were. Let us then, as we value the salvation of our immortal souls, let us diligently enquire whether these things are so -- let us search the scriptures, and if we find these people preach the doctrine there laid down, and practice what they preach, then we are bound to believe them: and if they do not, it is our duty to reject them. As long as there is any thing to be learnt, I trust I shall continue to be --                                                      A SEEKER AFTER TRUTH.


Note: This was one of several Boston Bee articles reproduced in the Times and Seasons during the spring and summer of 1843. The exact date of publication has not yet been determined.

[a Lecture Delivered in Salem, by Mr. J. B. Newhall]

The Nauvoo Temple is a very singular and unique structure. It is 150 feet in length, 98 feet wide, and when finished will be 150 feet high. It is different from any thing in ancient or modern history. Every thing about it is on a magnificent scale, and when finished and seen from the opposite side of the river, it will present one, if not the most beautiful, chaste, and noble specimens of architecture to be found in the world. We should like to be in possession of a model of this building, both on account of its great notoriety, as being connected with the Mormon or Latter Day Saints' religion, and also a work of art. Did our limits here permit, we might give a very minute description of the whole order of architecture. This splendid drawing was executed by Mr. Newhall, while in Nauvoo, from a copy in the archives of that city. We wish he had taken it on a large scale, but he probably did not, on account of transportation. We regret exceedingly that we did not have the privilege of a near inspection of the map of the city of Nauvoo; the place which for some time past has created more intense interest perhaps, than any other city, town or village in the country, if not in the world. But on inquiring for it we found it had been rolled up and packed away. He gave a very glowing and interesting account of this city. The location is one of the most beautiful on earth. Situated on the Mississippi river, rising in an inclined plane, till it reaches the height where it overlooks an extensive tract of territory, unrivaled in rich and varying scenery. His account of the military displays in Nauvoo, where the regiment, or Joe Smith's legion as it is called, turns out, is very interesting and exciting. He spoke of the six ladies on horses, with white feathers or plumes waving over black velvet, riding up and down in front of the last regiment. This must appear singular, at least to a Yankee.

He has had personal interviews with Joseph; and to sum up his character in a word; he is a jolly fellow: and according to his view, he is one of the last persons on earth whom God would have raised up as a prophet or priest, he is so diametrically opposite to that which he ought to be, in order to merit the titles or to act in such offices. Among others, he is very sociable, easy, cheerful, kind and obliging, and very hospitable.

We have seen Hiram Smith, a brother of Joseph's and heard him preach, and conversed with him about his religion, its origin and progress; and we heard him declare, in this city in public, that what is recorded about the plates, &c. &c., is God's solemn truth. We have seen and conversed also with Mr. Wm. Law, one of the apostles. He declared to us in the Masonic Hall, in this city, that the statements are true, and called upon God with uplifted hands as a witness. We think it would be very interesting to the good people of Salem, and in fact to the whole Eastern States, to have the prophet come and make us a visit. We very much doubt whether there is a man on earth, who would create so much excitement and deep interest, at least, for the time being, as the prophet.

After Mr. N. had drawn the Temple, Joseph was exceedingly pleased, pronounced it very correct, complimented him very highly, and told him he believed he would be the means in the hands of God, of doing a great deal of good.

Joseph's sermon, given verbatim as heard by Mr. N., is very interesting; but we cannot give it here.


Note: This text was taken from a reprint in the Times and Seasons. The exact date of publication has not yet been determined. H. H. Bancroft, in Chapter Vi of his History of Utah, mistakenly attributes this man as the writer of Rev. Samuel A Prior's published account of a visit made to Nauvoo during the same year. Subsequent histories of the Mormons have occasionally provided faulty citations for these two (Newhall's and Prior's), separate articles.

The  Book  of  Mormon.
                       Newark, N. J., March 20, 1843.

BR. NOYES: Having lately come in contact with the Mormons, the question has arisen in my mind. How can they be most effectually met, in their Heaven daring career of imposture and folly? The answer to the question has appeared to be this: let the people know the contents of the Book of Mormon before they become entangled with their sophistry, and there will be no danger. The Book of Mormon is the greatest compound of grammatical blunders, absurdities, impossibilities, contradictions of fact, and contradictions of the Bible, that I have ever seen. It professes to be not only written, but also to be translated, by inspiration. If you ask a Mormon how inspiration could commit so many blunders, he will tell you that the printer and the type were not inspired, and thus lead you if possible to believe that they are only typographical errors. But each and every edition of the work, although carefully revised by Joseph Smith and others, contains the same blunders; and it is not at all probable that the uninspired type should commit the very same mistakes in every edition. Again; page after page of the Book of Mormon is taken up with quotations from the Bible: those quotations are written correctly, -- no mistakes, no grammatical errors occur, while the other parts of the book abound with the most egregious blunders. I will give you a sample by way of illustration, although my limits will not permit me to do more than glance at this part of my subject. The following are some of them:

"They rebelled against I, Nephi and Sam;" "It supposeth me;" "He had somewhat contentions among his own people;" "The more part of them;" "With all your whole soul;" "The whole human family of Adam;" "The enormity of their number;" "The hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly;" "The battle of the battle;" "And I saw wars and rumors of wars among them; and in wars, and rumors of wars, I saw many generations pass away."

The last quotation reminds one of the old lady who in a time of war remarked that they only had the wars then, " but wait," said she, "until the rumors come." The above quotations are taken from the Golden Bible, as it is sometimes called, and are but a small part of the errors which abound throughout the book. Although the Book of Mormon professes to have been written by various persons, in different ages of the world, yet the same style runs through the whole work, with the exception of the quotations from our Bible. Of course, it will not answer for the Mormons to admit that there are any quotations from the Bible after Isaiah's day, for that would subvert their whole system. From the modern phrases and ideas that constantly occur, the candid reader is forced to conclude that it is a modern work. One of the writers quotes from the prophet Malachi, 200 years before he prophesied: but I must hasten to introduce you to some of the hidden treasures of this celebrated record of antiquity. On page 63, 3d edition, it reads thus:

"Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore if it should be one body, it must needs remain as dead, having no life, neither death nor corruption, nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility." (Page 65,) "And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed, he would not have fallen; but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created, must have remained in the same state which they were, after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. And they would have had no children; wherefore, they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. (Page 458,) "And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen, could feel the vapor of darkness; and there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceeding dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all; and there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land."

Permit me to inquire here if it is possible for human beings to exist in an atmosphere where lights and fire cannot burn; and whether this story about the darkness is not a bungling absurdity? The Book of Mormon pretends to give the history of a race of people who emigrated from the Tower of Babel after the confusion of tongues, and came to this country; after living here for thirty generations, and being divided under two kings named Coriantumr and Shiz; they fought several bloody battles until both parties were destroyed, men, women, and children, with the exception of the prophet Ether. The writer remarks that in one war, Coriantumr lost two millions of fighting men, with their wives and children; and that afterward, the kings began to gather all the people, for a final struggle -- but I will give you his own language. On page 555, it reads thus:--

"The people who were for Coriantumr, were gathered to the army of Coriantumr; and the people who were for Shiz, were gathered together to the army of Shiz; wherefore they were for the space of four years in gathering together the people, that they might get all who were upon the face of the land, and that they might receive all the strength which it was possible that they could receive. And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together, every one to the army which he would, with their wives, and their children; both men, women, and children, being armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breast-plates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of war, they did march forth one against another to battle; and they fought all that day, and conquered not."

The writer goes on to say that they fought several days, until they totally annihilated each other. Think of the absurdity of arming their infant children "with weapons of war, shields, breast-plates, and head-plates." I will give you one more specimen from this wonderful book -- one which you will doubtless consider the climax of human ingenuity. On p. 527 it says:

"And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built according to the instructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water; and they were built after a manner that they were exceeding tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared cried unto the Lord, saying, O Lord I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me. And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light, whither we shall steer. And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish. And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared, Behold, thou shalt make a hole in the top thereof, and also in the bottom thereof; and when thou shalt suffer for air, thou shalt unstop the hole thereof, and receive air. And if it be so that the water come in upon thee, behold, ye shall stop the hole thereof, that ye may not perish in the flood. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did so, according as the Lord had commanded. And he cried again unto the Lord, saying, O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness? And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared, What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fir; for behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea: for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth."

There are many absurdities in the book; but my limits will not allow me to give more at this time. The number of barges was eight; and in them they brought to this continent the different animals, fowls of the air, and fishes, that first made their appearance in the western world after the deluge. Just think of the idea of bringing "fish of the waters" across the mighty deep: again, although these barges were "light upon the water like a fowl," yet they were much of the time buried in the deep: and although they were driven continually toward the promised land by "furious winds" and "terrible tempests," yet, it required 344 days to cross the ocean to this country. -- You can judge for yourself with what speed they must have traveled. The book of Mormon, (at least, the religious part of it,) was evidently written by an individual who had a particular theory to support: for questions in theology that have long divided the religious world, are fully settled. For example, the mode of baptism is particularly described, infant baptism forbidden, &c. &c. But the length of my letter admonishes me that I must close.
                       YOURS,    G. C. STEWART.


Notes: (forthcoming)

A Character Sketch of the Prophet
His Doctrine of Inspiration.

Sir, in bygone years, and long before I heard of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and indeed before he had existence, I had formed some very curious ideas about the ancient prophets. From reading their history in the Bible, I supposed they must have been men of no ordinary proportions; or, if so, that there was something about them different from other men, by which they might be distinguished at sight. As a matter of course. I thought they must have had gray hairs for a covering to make them appear very dignified, and beards as long as a Jew's; for if they shaved, it would show that they were men; and could I have had the privilege of looking at one, I should have expected to have seen him clad in sheep, goat, bear or wolf skin, wandering about on the mountains like the beasts he had robbed of their garment, lodging in the caves and dens of the earth, and subsisting on the fruits and nuts of the forest, -- a being too holy, too sanctified, too exalted by his high calling, to appear in the habitations or among the society of men, unless he had some important message to communicate direct from heaven -- some revelation or commandment to promulgate to his fellows; and then he would just come forth and cry out, like the beasts in the wilderness, with so much sacred sanctity, that everybody would know he was a prophet, and if by nothing else, when they saw his nails like birds' claws, and his hairs like eagles' feathers and his hands and face as filthy as a baboon; for it never occurred to me that clean hands, in administering before the Lord, as mentioned in the scripture, meant anything more than a good conscience; and I had never supposed but that a man could worship God just as acceptably all covered with dirt, and filth and slime, as though he had bathed in Siloam every hour, until I heard the Mormon prophet lecturing his people on the subject of neatness and cleanliness, teaching them that all was clean in heaven, and that Jesus was going to make the place of His feet glorious; and if the Mormons did not keep their feet out of the ashes, they could not stand with Him on Mount Zion.

I had no thought before but that dirty people could get to heaven as well as clean ones; and that if the priests ordered sacrifices with polluted hands, the fire would cleans; both the offering and the hands that offered it. I cannot say how much there may be in scripture to contradict my views, neither can I vouch for it that the churches of the day believe any such doctrine; for I never belonged to any of them, but have rather been called an infidel. As to that, I have not altered much. I like consistency, find it where I may.

With all these curious notions I fell into the Mormon settlement, and saw the prophet; but having never heard a Mormon preach, you can imagine me not quite ready to receive all the impressions incident to an interview with such a distinguished personage. But I will give it as I find it, hit or miss the faith or feelings of any one. I have had an interview view since my last, and found anything but the truth in the current reports. "The Prophet Joseph" (as he is called among his people) said in a conversation with a gentleman present, that he no more professed to be a prophet than every man must who professes to be a preacher of righteousness or a minister of the new testament.

To be a minister of Jesus, a man must testify of Jesus; and to testify of Jesus, a man must have the spirit of prophecy; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

If a man professes to be a minister of Jesus and has not the spirit of Prophecy, he must be a false witness, for he is not in possession of that gift which qualifies him for that office; and the difference between him and the clergy of this generation is, he claims to be in possession of that spirit of prophecy which qualifies him to testify of Jesus and the Gospel of salvation; and the clergy deny that spirit, even the spirit of prophecy, which alone could constitute them true witne8ses or testators of the Lord Jesus, and yet claim to be true ministers of salvation.

In this, said he, I am honest, and they are dishonest, and that is the difference between us. Were they true and honest witnesses of Jesus Christ, they would acknowledge they have the testimony of Him, and that is the spirit of prophecy; and every man who possesses that spirit is a prophet.

I, said he, claim no more than what every servant of Christ must possess to qualify him for his office, while the clergy of the 19th century deny that which alone could constitute what they profess to be. He said he did not profess to be a very good man, but acknowledged himself a sinner like other men, or, as all men are, imperfect; and it is necessary for all men to grow into the stature of manhood in the Gospel.

I could not help noticing that he dressed, talked and acted like other men, and in every respect exactly the opposite of what I had conjured up in my imagination a prophet.

The Mormons have not yet completed their great Temple, and have no commodious place of worship; but the apostles and elders preach in private houses on the Sabbath and at other times, though I seldom attended these latter meetings. But when the weather will admit they meet in the grove, or on the rough floor of the basement of the Temple, and then the prophet frequently preaches. On one of these occasion I heard him preach concerning the prodigal son.

After naming his text, the prophet remarked that some one had asked him the meaning of the expression of Jesus -- "Among those born of women, there has not arisen a greater than John;" and said he had promised to answer it in public, and he would do it then. It could not have been on account of the miracles John performed, for he did no miracles; but it was--First, because he was trusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Who was trusted with such a mission before or since? No man. Second, he was trusted and it was required at his hands to baptize the Son of Man. Who ever did that? Who ever had so great a privilege or glory? Who ever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, beholding the Holy Ghost descend upon him in the sign of a dove? No man. Third, John at that time was the only legal administrator holding the keys of power there was on earth. The keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory had departed from the Jews; and John, the son of Zachariah, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven, held the keys of power at that time.


Note: The above text was drived from its reprint in the LDS "History of the Church," Vol. 5, pp. 406-408.

MORMON  JOE  SMITH  ARRRESTED  AT  NAUVOO

GREAT  EXCITEMENT  AT  NAUVOO.
___________

THE MORMON ARRESTED -- PLACED IN OTTAWA JAIL. -- 200 Mormon Legion Horsemen head for Ottawa, another 150 armed Mormons on Steamboat!! [remainder of clipping missing]


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  BIBLE.

We give place to the following article on the origin of the Mormon Bible, to oblige an old and much respected friend, and not because the article itself contains any thing new, or because we have the slightest regard for the notorious John C. Bennett, from whose miserable catch-penny book the certificates respecting the authorship of the Mormon Bible are copied. At the same time, we do not wish to be understood as having the least synpathy for this Mormon momstrosity, which may, for any thing we know to the contrary, have been the production of Mr. Spaulding; but we place no sort of reliance, in confirmation of the fact, upon any testimony of Bennett himself, and indeed the testimony which he says was given by others is rendered suspicious by his own contemptible treatment of the Mormons. He says he went among them a stranger; they gave him a friendly welcome, elevated him to stations of honor and trust, and for years he lived upon their bounty. When he could no longer fleece them, the ungrateful whelp, in return for their kindness, published to the world a large volume of their pretended vices and immoralities. We do not know, to be sure, that the volume is not true; but for all that we have no confidence in the statements of a fellow guilty of such consummate meanness and hypocrisy, and we cannot suffer any extract from his vile work to appear in our paper without saying beforehand, that we heartily despose and detest him.

---

Boston, July 16, 1848.    

Mr. Abner Kneeland: -- Dear Sir, -- Yours of the 14th of May came to hand three days since. I have noted its contents, and will briefly reoly in the Boston Investigator, agreeably to your request.

You observe, you had by request attended a Mormon meeting, and at which a Mr. Gleason preached; that in conversation with you he denied the statement of Mrs. Matilda Davidson, formerly the wife of Solomon Spaulding, as published in my Expose of Mormonism; and that a Mr. Duncan whom you also conversed with, attempted to confirm the statement of Mr. Gleason. If these Mormons will show the statement of Matilda Davidson, denying, as they say, her former testimony, I will take the pains to call the attention of Mrs. Davidson, if living, to the subject. Unless they do this, I shall conclude that they know their statements to be false. Mrs. Spaulding's statement has been been alluded to in many public journals, and corroborated by more than twenty responsible evidences, and piblished in books now extant, which is sufficient to remove all the stories any Mormon may bring to his aid to the contrary.

I will now, Sir, give you a brief account, relative to this subject, from a number of persons given in an Expose by a champion of their own party, John C. Bennett, which will be found in a work of 334 pages published by him in Boston, 1842. He went among the Mormons, it appears, to ascertain their true character, and has published the results of his observations. In his book, he refers to the testimony of John Spaulding. I will give you this entire, and a number of others briefly, as it would occupy the whole paper to publish them in full; -- all of which prove, beyond a shade of doubt, the truth of the statement of Mrs. Davidson, alluded to in my Expose, to which you refer... [statement of John Spalding, and excerpts from the other 1833 "Conneaut witnesses" follow]

Thus I have given you sufficient evidences to support Mrs. Davidson's statement, and to satisfy every one that Solomon Spaulding was the author of a manuscript from which the Mormon Bible was got up.   Yours, respectfully,

TYLER PARSONS.

Note: The above article contains nothing unique relating to the Spalding authorship claims.

MORMON  NEWS.
Western Correspondence to the Courier.

"... We are all of us on tiptoe to catch every passing rumor from Nauvoo, relating to it's great head and leader, Joseph Smith, the High Priest of the Mormons, and the great prophet of the Latter Day Saints"... "Jo" was on way up river and stopped at Dixon's Ferry where he was arrested by an Officer... Proceedings declared illegal and the Prophet was released, whereby the Officer was taken as a prisoner to Nauvoo... Other reports tell of the Prophet being conveyed to Quincy... Little doubt that an officer sent from Missouri in regards to charges of the attempted assassination on Gov. Boggs... that the Mormon's settlement at Nauvoo is in quite a prosperous condition, there is no doubt...[lengthy article, but mostly illegible]


Notes: (forthcoming)

INCONSISTENCIES  OF  PROFESSED  BIBLE  BELIEVERS.

Reading an article in the Times of the 20th inst. headed "Taking the Veil," my thoughts were led to muse on the gross inconsistency of the present professed Bible believing generation. Now it is a well known fact, that the present christian world, (with the exception of a few that the rest term infidels,) both priest and people, editors and readers, are professed believers in the Bible, and are ready to denounce a man as infidel, who dares question its authority; they believe it to be a revelation of the will of God to man, for the purpose of effecting his salvation; and (with the exception of the Mormons,) they believe it to be the last and only revelation that man ever did or will receive from his God. Now if they acted consistently, would they not receive and support those who come among them preaching and practicing the plan of salvation, with its ordinances contained in the New Testament, to the very letter and repudiate and condemn all others. Would they not obey the injunction of John, 'if any come among you and obey not the doctrine of Christ, receive him not into your houses, neither bid him God speed.'

Should it make any difference whether they were old or new, popular or unpopular, learned or unlearned? Every candid mind will answer no, it should not, but the grand, and only question should be, do you preach the same plan of salvation which Christ and his apostles preached? Do you hold out the same blessings and promises they held out for believing, and threaten them with the same condemnation for disbelieving the New Testament being the rule of evidence? But how stands the case? what are the facts? Now for the purpose of testing this thing, I will make use of two denominations, viz: 'Catholics' and 'Mormons,' not out of any disrespect to either, but only to test the principle standing at the head of this article, particularly in regard to the press and pulpit.

The Mormons came among us preaching faith, repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, see Acts ii: 38 and xxii: 16. They practice the order of laying on of hands, for the reception of the holy spirit, see Acts vii: 17-18 and xix; 6 and Heb. vi: 2. They preach that the signs shall follow them that believe, see Mark xvi: 17. They preach that as the gospel, like its author, is unchangeable, therefore his church whenever and wherever found, will be built on the same foundation, organized with the same organization that characterized it in its early period, and that that organization consisted of apostles and prophets, &c., see Eph. ii: 20 and iv: 11, also Cor xii: 28. And that these officers were to continue until perfection is come, 1 Cor. xiii: 8-10. And 'till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge (not belief) of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Eph. iv: 13. They preach that as like causes produce like effects in all ages of the world, that those who are obedient to the gospel in this age and thereby receive the holy spirit, can and will claim and receive the holy spirit, and will claim and receive all its blessings and fruits, which include revelations, visions, dreams, tongues, prophecies, interpretations, discerning of spirits, healing the sick, casting out devils, &c. Proof, see 1 Cor. xii, Mark. xvi: 17, James v: 14-15. -- They preach that Zion is to be built in the last days, see Ps. cii: 16 and xlviii: 2, and also Ps. lx, and Mich. iv, and Joel ii: 32. They preach a gathering of the saints in the last days to this Zion, while God pours out his judgments upon the earth. Proof, Ps. iv: 5 and cii 22, Js. ix: 3,4,5,8 and xxxiv: 10, and the Parables, especially that of tares and wheat, 2 Thess. ii: 1, Rev. xviii: 4. These are some of the grand and important doctrines taught by the Mormons, all based and founded on the word of God in the Bible that the whole christian world profess to receive as their standard of faith and practice.

And now, I would ask, where, among the whole Christian world, can be found another people that teaches or even believes one of these plain Bible doctrines? And where is the priest that dare meet the elders of the Mormons on any one of these questions? I have heard elder Page, time and again, publicly challenge the whole clergy of Boston to meet him on any of these questions, using their own hall free of expense, the Bible being the rule of evidence, and where is there one that dare do it? Echo answers where? Bro. Comings to the contrary notwithstanding.

And now, how are the Mormons, coming as they do, Bible in hand, received by the present Bible believing generation, especially editors and priests? I need not answer. Every one knows that each and all of the above Bible doctrines, preached by the Mormons, are met with scorn and contempt, ridicule and blackguardism, and by the very men that denounce men that honestly admit their disbelief in the Bible, as Infidels.

And here are the Mormons baptising weekly, having established a branch in this city of 250, and that in a year and a half, and yet not one of the Boston clergy dare meet them, and expose their delusion, as they call it, and thereby save the dear people from being deceived. And not the clergy alone, but the press also, professedly Bible believing, will in their turn ridicule each of the above doctrines, and publish every item that will tend to throw contempt and obloquy upon them, and not publish a word by way of reply, or in favor, unless paid for.

But now let us look a the other sect mentioned viz: The Catholics, not that they are any more inconsistent than other denominations, or even half so much, but I mention them because the article that gave rise to this communication involves their principles, viz: 'Taking the veil.' Merely to show the difference of treatment by the press, when the doctrines and ceremonies of an old, numerous and popular church, is concerned, than when an unpopular people are the subject for remarks. Now with what grace, and respect the ceremony of taking the veil is spoken of, in the article referred to. If they were written concerning the crucifixion of Christ, they could not be more serious or respectful. And what do we see in the article the, why-'Taking the Veil,' 'Nunnery,' 'Sacrament of high Mass,' 'Reverend Archbishop,' dressed in the 'Pontificals of his station,' then the co-sister in which, with their black veils and a lighted taper in their hands.' then we have a 'Reverend mother,' &c. &c. Now in what part of the Old or New Testament are one of these things alluded to? Where in the organization of the Church of Christ, can the office of 'Reverend Arch Bishop,' or 'Reverend mothers,' be found? We can read about Paul and the Apostles and the Prophets dressed in sheep and goat skins, but nothing about Arch Bishops in their pontificals,' and where can you read of the white dress of the sisters-and their long black veils, and their lighted tapers, &c. Now I will challenge the whole professed Bible believing world, to point out a single passage, that even alludes to one of these ceremonies.

Then we may mention the enquiring meetings and anxious seats of the Orthodox and baptist. The camp meetings, class meetings, sisters and the three baptisms of the Methodist, all verifying the predictions of Paul, that in the last days 'they would not endure sound doctrines, but would turn from the truth, unto fables,' such as I have been referring to; that they should 'heap to themselves teachers instead of God sending them-and that they would have a form of godliness but deny the power,' also fulfilling the words of Christ to the Jews, that they made void the law of God by their own traditions, and 'taught for doctrines the commandments of men,' for instance the doctrine of Christ, as I have before shown, is baptism for the remission of sins-but the commandments of men are, come to the anxious seats, the altars -- or the mourners bench, for the remission of sins. The doctrines of Christ is 'laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost;' the commandment of men -- go to the camp meeting and receive the Holy Ghost.

But enough has been said to show that this Bible believing generation care not a fig for the Bible, or the doctrines it contains, when speaking of the doctrines and ceremonies of any sect; but if the sect is wealthy, or numerous and popular, they will be spoken of with respect and flattering words -- whether their doctrines accords with the Bible or not; and the sect that is small, new and unpopular, will be met with ridicule and contempt, Bible or no Bible. The Catholics and Methodists and others will present to the community, doctrines and precepts, laws and ceremonies, that the Bible never dreamed of, and will be petted and supported by Pulpit and Press. The Mormons, on the other hand, come Bible in hand, ready to defend therefrom, both publicly and privately, each and every doctrine they present to the people, and they are met by Pulpit and Press with slang, vituperation, and any thing under heaven but argument. Oh! the consistency of this godly, Bible believing generation.
                                    J. H.


Note: The exact date of the above article has not been determined. The text is taken from a reprint in the Times & Seasons.

Anti-Mormon Movements. -- The Iowa Hawk Eye speaks of the Anti Mormon Convention as being very large and as having passed resolutions declaring that if Gov. FORD would not surrender "Jo Smith" on the requisition of the Gov. of Missouri, which he has refused to do from political considerations.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE above is pronounced, by all who have seen Joe Smith, a most capital likeness. It was drawn a little more than a year since, by a young amateur artist, and sent in a letter to a gentleman of the bar in Boston. The following extract from the letter enclosing it, was written from Illinois.

The letter says:

"Enclosed is [a] sketch of the famous Prophet Joe Smith. It is called a good likeness. My Mormon friends in particular, (who ought to be judges,) pronounced it so, and call on me for copies to send their friends. Singular head for an inspired prophet; not much of the high, intellectual forehead, and "eye in fine phrenzy rolling," &c. I [made] this sketch when he was last here on bail, previous to that trial of which you must have heard the particulars.

He was sitting in the lobby of the Senate chamber, leaning over the rail, with his black cane to his mouth, and holding a levee with the honorable Senators, who seemed to pay more attention to him than he did to them. At first glance there is nothing striking in his countenance. He is quite a large man, light complexion, hair and eyebrows very light, eyes prominent and blue, a remarkably [receding?] forehead [and] chin retreating; dresses neatly, but not peculiarly, excepting his high shirt collar [and large? white] cravat; but on the whole one would take him to be some stout honest miller, or mechanic retired from business, and would think it most likely that his name was Smith: but when engaged in conversation, (I fancied it perhaps) his countenance changes very much, becoming very animated, and his bright keen eye shines out with much greater promise of that talent and knowledge of human nature, which he must possess, to be the absolute master of so many thousands of his fellow creatures. Smith, himself, contrasted very favorably in appearance with a body guard of his followers, who always kept about him; all large men, [like ---e] least with faces in which Mormon was written most legibly; stern, gloomy fanatics, [----- ------ ---self], but beck of their leader, to sacrifice life, although it should be their own..."

Note 1: The date of issue for the paper publishing "Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet," remains unknown. It presumably appeared in an illustrated Boston newspaper early in 1844. The article says that the sketch was made "a little more than a year since," in the Illinois Senate chamber, while Smith was "on bail," during the course of his January 1843 trial at Springfield.

Note 2: The artist was evidently Mr. Benjamin West of Springfield. The Illinois State Historical Library possesses what may be a subsequent rendition of the same drawing, donated by West's grandson nearly 100 years after it was created. Mr. West says in his letter that he occasionally makes "copies" of his original sketch and there is no way of knowing now where the original may be. One such copy was reversed, embellished, and offered as an engraving in Benjamin G. Ferris' 1854 book, Utah and the Mormons.

Note 3: The description West gives of Smith, at the beginning of 1844, reads much like another portrayal of the prophet's physique, published in the New York Herald of Jan. 18, 1843: "The prophet is a large, portly, and fine looking man, six feet without shoes, looks about forty of forty-two, and weighs 220 pounds, eyes light blue, approaching to grey, light brown hair, peaked nose, large head... dressed in box coat, black, blue dress coat and pants, black silk velvet vest, white cravat, a large gold ring on the finger next to the little one of his left hand, black cane, and wears a continual smile."

Mormon  Difficulties  in  Illinois

The Quincy Herald of the 9th inst., states that four wagons passed through that place on Tuesday previous, on their way to the State Arsenal at Alton, for the purpose of procuring arms to be used against the Mormons, The difficulties and the prospect of an immediate breach between the citizens and the Mormons has been brought to the knowledge of Gov. Ford, and he has been earnestly appealed to, to maintain the peace and protect the innocent. The state of exasperation between the Mormons and the citizens is such that we will not be surprised to hear of actual hostilities at any time quite as violent as formerly existed between them and a portion of our citizens. (St. Louis Repub.)

---

(more articles follow, Nauvoo, etc. -- under construction

Notes: (forthcoming)

From our Correspondent.

Boston, March 30, 1844.      

Messrs. Editors. -- ...

I learn from your last paper, that if Joe Smith were a Turk, and wished to say "fountain of light," his words would be "Ain shems," which is not Turkish, but Arabic, and which means, not fountain of light, but fountain of the Sun; that is, fountain consecrated to the idolatrous worship of the solar fire. But "it was not that, I meant to tell." I have something more important; something that may lead to the uprising of another prophet, equal to him.

It seems, he was born in Sharon, Vt., in 1805, and lived there a quarter of his life, or till 1814, or 1815. Now I remember distinctly, that during some part of that time, there was said to be a "peeping stone," as the unbelievers call it, in Sharon. The owner could place it in the bottom of a hat, and then put his face into the hat so as to exclude the light, and by thus looking into the stone, could see "things invisible to mortal sight." People used to go, -- or at least, it was reported that they went, in great numbers, to Sharon, to learn from the owner of the "peeping stone," where stolen goods might be found, whither their cattle had strayed, and the like; and wonderful discoveries were said to be made. Now, you know that it was by the help of such a stone, used in the same way, that Joe was enabled to read the inscriptions on the golden plates out of some unknown tongue into English, and thus make the Book of Mormon.

But I have still greater wonders to reveal. The reports of that day told how such stones are made. You must take the skull of a man born under the planet Mercury; burn it, and melt it down into glass; for it is really glass, rather than a stone. You must then place it on the eyes of a dead man who was born under the same planet, where it must lay seven years. It is then fit for use; any person born under Mercury can see in it.

Yet again, and very interesting. The peeper in Sharon, it was said, saw where another of those stones was buried; and I know the spot very nearly. It is at the foot of the same sandy hill which you are obliged to ascend, just before entering the village of West Hartford from the east. It is "between the road and the river;" but whether the road is the turnpike, or the old road further back, I am not sure.

Now for the "practical application" -- if any person "born under Mercury" feels inclined to go to Nauvoo and place himself under Joe Smith, let him pause. He can do better. Let him, after having purchased the right to do so from the owner of the land, dig for that stone, at the base, -- the eastern base, -- of that hill; and let him dig till he finds it, and then set up for a prophet himself. This, I doubt not, would be a much better use of his time and money, than would be made at Nauvoo.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Schism among the Mormons.

The last Warsaw Signal states that a rupture had taken place among the Mormons. -- a respectable number of the most intelligent members of that body having seceded, under the guidance of William Law, and set up for themselves. It does not appear that the religious views of the seceders have undergone any material change.

They profess to believe that Joseph Smith was once a true prophet; but contend that he is now fallen from grace, and no longer worthy to remain at the head of the Church. Private information confirms the above intelligence in its most essential facts.


Notes: (forthcoming)

SCHISM AMONG THE MORMONS: -- The Warsaw Signal states that a rupture has taken place among the Mormons -- a respectable number of the most intelligent members of that body having seceded, under the guidance of WILLIAM LAW, and set up for themselves. It does not appear that the religious views of the seceders have undergone any material change. They profess that JOSEPH SMITH WAS ONCE A TRUE PROPHET, but contend that he is now fallen from grace, and no longer worthy to remain at the head of the Church. Private information confirms the above intelligence in its most estential features.


Notes: (forthcoming)

SCHISM AMONG THE MORMONS. -- The last Warsaw Signal states that a rupture has taken place among the Mormons -- a respectable number of the most intelligent members of that body having seceded, under the guidance of William Law, and set up for themselves. It does not appear that the religious views of the seceders have undergone any material change. They profess to believe that Joseph Smith was once a true prophet; but contend that he is now fallen from grace, and no longer worthy to remain at the head of the church. Private information confirms the above intelligence in its most essential features.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Arrest of Joe Smith.

The Warsaw (Illinois) Signal states that the U. S. Marshal had succeeded in arresting Joe Smith, at Nauvoo, and hod proceeded with him down the river. Joe showed fight at first, but afterwards concluded that discretion was the better part of valor. Had Joe persisted, the military would have been called out to enforce the law.

The Alton Telegraph, of the 8th inst., has the following:

A deputy marshal of the district of Illinois, proceeded to Nauvoo, a few days since, with a process issued by the Judge of the district court of the United States, for the arrest of Joe [sic, Jeremiah] Smith, upon a criminal charge of embezzling money. -- The deputy Marshal succeeded in arresting Smith; when "Holy Joe" caused his follower to be taken out of the possession of the United States' officer, and brought before the municipal court of Nauvoo, for an examination under the writ of habeas corpus, issued by that immaculate body.

The Deputy, in a letter, states that the examination was to come off on the next day, and the result was involved in doubt. He farther avowed a fixed determination on the part, fearlessly and faithfully to execute the process of the United States Court, regardless of the course of this mock tribunal of justice, whose chief business is the release of all rogues who take shelter at Nauvoo, and are subsequently arrested by any process of law, whether issued from the State or Federal courts. Should Joe Smith refuse to surrender the accused into the hands of the deputy marshal, Col. Prentiss will repair in person to the scene of action, with such a force as will ensure obedience to the constituted authorities of the Government.


Note: By confusing the names of the fugitive from Federal Justice (Jeremiah Smith), with that of his holy protector at Nauvoo (Joseph Smith), the writer for the Cultivator makes something of a hash out of the above arrest news.

THE  MORMONS -- EXCITEMENT  IN  ILLINOIS.

All of our intelligence from Illinois indicates the probability and almost the certainty of a speedy and bloody collision between the Mormons and the surrounding citizens of Illinois. The St. Louis Republican of the 17th says:--

"Our intelligence from the seat of the disturbances at Nauvoo, is down to Friday night last. We learn by the Die Vernon, that great excitement existed in all the counties on both sides of the river, and that a resort to arms was inevitable. The Die Vernon, on her last trip, took about sixty stand of arms from Quincy to Warsaw, and efforts were making to get arms from other quarters. A week or two will determine the result of this movement. Some three hundred of the Mormons, it is understood, had left Nauvoo, but Joe Smith had put a stop to this migrating disposition by anathematizing all persons who had expressed any intention of quitting the city."

The citizens of Hancock county, in which Nauvoo is situated, held a mass meeting at Carthage, the seat of justice, on the l3th. -- Dr. Barns one of the persons who went with the officers to Nauvoo, for the purpose of arresting the rioters (Mormons with Joe Smith at their head) engaged in the destruction of the Expositor, reported the result of their proceedings, which was that the persons charged in the writs were duly arrested, but taken from the officers' hands on a writ of habeas corpus from the municipal court and discharged, and the following potent words entered upon the records -- honorably discharged.

The meeting after the adoption of resolutions &c. condemnatory of the course of Joe Smith and his Mormon followers, determined that all should prepare for an attack upon Nauvoo. Gov. Tod [sic, Ford] of Illinois, had been informed of the proceedings of the citizens and of the Mormons at Nauvoo; and St. Louis dates of the 26th informs us that he had arrived near the scene of excitement, approved of the course of the citizens and their operations, and ordered out 2,500 men to further them.

The inhabitants of Warsaw appear to count with confidence on the assistance of their neighbors in Iowa and Missouri.

Joe Smith had about 2 800 men under arms on the 20th and was ready for defensive operations. At Warsaw and Carthage 8,000 men were under arms to enforce the service of the writs and an additional force of 1,000 men was looked for.

Joe, in a proclamation, justified the course of his people in destroying the Expositor press, on the ground that the conductors were a .set of blacklegs, counterfeiters and debauchees and that it was their duty to rid themselves of such characters.

It is supposed that by this time active operations have commenced.


Notes: (forthcoming)

AFFAIRS AT NAUVOO. -- Great Excitement was produced at Warsaw by the news of the destruction of the office of the "Nauvoo Expositor," and a handbill was issued inviting an appeal to arms. Writs were procured at Carthage, the county seat of Hancock county, and officers despatched to Nauvoo to arrest the persons concerned in the outrage. But this, remarks the St. Louis Republican, we venture to say, will not be done. The law is powerless for good in that region. A rumor prevailed at Warsaw, that Joe Smith was arresting every man at Nauvoo, who was opposed to, or would not justify his proceedings.

A war of extermination has been declared at Warsaw, and vicinity. At a large county meeting on the 15th inst., it was resolved to arm, and call upon the adjoining counties to arm. All Mormons have been ordered off. They have a strong force at Nauvoo.

THE MORMON DIFFICULTIES. -- The St. Louis papers of June 12, state that the people in the neighborhood of Nauvoo were organizing into military companies at the latest dates, and arming themselves for a serious conflict. They were not expected to make any attack upon Nauvoo, until the return of the messengers sent to the Governor, and when they return, we suppose the law will take its way without bloodshed.

A mandamus has been issued by Judge Pope of Illinois, against the Nauvoo Council, for ordering the office of the Expositor to be demolished, and thus exceeding the authority granted by the charter of the city.

THE MORMONS. -- The St. Louis Reveille of June 22d, says -- "The Waverley, down last night, brings intelligence that the allies march to-day on Nauvoo. They are reported to be three or four thousand strong, while the Mormons are said to be already short of provisions.

By the clerk of the steamer New Haven we are informed that Nauvoo is strictly under martial law, armed guards are stationed at different points, and a sentry patrolling the landing. The New Haven, however, was permitted to touch, and a guard was immediately placed at the foot of her gangway plank to prevent the embarkation of any who had no particular business with the city."

MORMON WAR ENDED. -- Joe Smith and his council have abdicated and surrendered. The Mormon difficulties have, in all probability, been brought to a close for the present. Gov. Ford, whose arrival at Nauvoo has been already announced, demanded the State arms at that place, and ordered on a number of militia companies. Joe Smith and his Council fled precipitately, but afterward voluntarily gave themselves up. Gov. Ford addressed the people of Carthage and assured them that the offenders should be brought to punishment.


Notes: (forthcoming)

FROM  NAUVOO.

THE  MORMON  WAR.

The Mormon difficulties have, in all probability been brought to a close for the present. Gov. Ford of Illinois, (not Gov. Tod as we erroneously published it) whose arrival at Nauvoo has been already announced, demanded the State arms of that place, and ordered out a number of militia companies -- Joe Smith and his council thereupon fled precipitately to Iowa. Gov. Ford addressed the people of Carthage, and assured them that the offenders should be brought to punishment.

The Cincinnati Gazette of July 1st, states that Joe Smith had yielded as well as four of his followers engaged in destroying the Expositor press. The better opinion seemed to be that the difficulties were at an end.

DEATH OF JOE AND HIRAM SMITH.

The Cincinnati Gazette of July 3d, announces, on authority of the St. Louis Gazette and the Quincy Herald of June 23, the DEATHS OF JOE AND HIRAM SMITH.

It appears that Gov. Ford of Illinois, left Carthage on the 27th ult. with 120 soldiers for the purpose of taking possession of the Nauvoo legion and their arms. This was done and the Governor left Nauvoo and encamped about 7 miles from the city.

About the same time an attempt was made by a Mormon to break the guard placed around the Carthage prison, in which Joe and Hiram were confined.

A general confusion ensued in the crowd around the jail. Joe and his Mormon fellow prisoners, it seems, had provided themselves with pistols, and commenced firing upon the guard within. He then attempted to escape from the window, when a hundred balls entered his body, and he fell a lifeless corpse.

His brother Hiram shared the same fate. -- Richards, a leading Mormon, was badly wounded. The Mormons immediately left for Nauvoo to carry the news of the death of the Prophet. It is feared that the Mormons at Nauvoo will be so exasperated as to exterminate the Governor and his small force.

A letter from on board the steamer Boreas, to the Louisville Journal, dated June 27, gives another and probably more accurate account of the killing of Joe and Hyrum Smith. We insert it:

"Yesterday, the 26th, Governor Ford having prevailed upon Joseph Smith and several other principal Mormons, to resign them into the hands of the officers of justice at Carthage to be tried by due process of law, five, and I believe only five, viz. Joseph and Hyrum Smith, a Dr. Richards, and two others, were incarcerated in the Hancock county jail, and guarded by the Governor's troops, until this morning, when Governor Ford discharged the troops, except sixty already stationed at Nauvoo, and a further reserve of sixty, who, to-day, accompanied him to Nauvoo, to detect and annihilate the bogus factory, leaving the prisoners in the safe and efficient keeping of seven men of the Carthage Greys. Shortly after disbanding the McDonough troops, and the Governor's departure for Nauvoo, a large body of militia, say two hundred, resolved to wait on the prisoners in their room. Here was the beginning of the trouble.

The fearful Greys could not consistently admit visitors to prisoners excused of treason and other felonies. The militia took efficient means to convince the guard of their impotence, and the opposing forces joined issue. At a charge of the militia the Greys fired, evincing a valor not surpassed nor even equaled by the renowned heroes of Thermopylae. Here two hundred men were incompetent to intimidate these valorous seven, who, true to their trust, discharged their pieces with deadly aim. The militia soon ascertained, either by roll-call or particular inspection and inquiry, that none were either killed or wounded, and bethinking themselves that cartridge paper without ball therein is harmless, the militia formed seven parties of seven men each, and thus arranged, each division seized one of the guard, and thus the valorous seven were overcome; and yet a few militia, say one hundred and fifty, were at leisure to enter and pay their respects to the prisoners. The door was forced, and Joe shot the foremost, named Willis through the wrist. A general melee ensued in which pistols spoke eloquently and forcibly. Five of the Militia were wounded, though slightly. Joe Smith, endeavoring to escape, precipitated himself from the window, receiving while between heaven and earth, some half dozen shots, and five thereafter, Hyrum, was killed within the prison. This tragedy was enacted between four and five this afternoon, and I heard the announcement of the courier in Warsaw at eight. The men immediately fell in, shouldered arms, right faced, and made divers defensive preparations; while women with children in their arms throng the levee to cross by moonlight to Missouri, or await the return of the Boreas from Keokuk, to Quincy, that they may not be endangered should the desperate Mormonites attempt to revenge the loss of their defunct head. All is confusion, and Warsaw looks as if besieged."

By the following from the Louisville Journal of the 3d it would seem that the Mormons have more discretion than any body has given them credit for:

We have seen a gentleman who was in Nauvoo on Friday, and who informs us, that all was then quiet there, the prominent Mormons exhorting their followers to offer no insult or molestation to any one, and in no case to offer violence except in strict self-defence. The deepest grief and affliction pervaded the city. There appeared to be no danger of the burning of Warsaw or Carthage.


Notes: (forthcoming)

We have just received by the western mail the following particulars of the death of Joe Smith the Prophet, and his brother Hiram

THE  WERE  BOTH  SHOT.

There was a tremendous excitement at the west in consequence of their death. A dreadful civil war was expected.

We learn from an extra of the St. Louis Gazette, that Warsaw was all excitement. The women and children were all removed, and an immediate attack was expected from the Mormons. We met the Boreas just above Quincy, with three hundred men armed and equipped for Warsaw, eager for the fight.

From the Quincy Herald of Friday, Julne 28, 6 o'clk.

DEATH OF THE PROPHET!
JOE AND HIRAM SMITH ARE DEAD!!

(view original source article)

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  WAR.

The St. Louis Republican of July 3d, uses the following language: --

All our information tends to fix on the people concerned in the death of the Smiths, the odium of perfidious, black-hearted, cowardly murder -- so wanton as to be without any justification -- so inhuman and treacherous as to find no parallel in savage life, under any circumstances. Governor Ford declares his intention to seek out the murderers; and he owes it to his own honor and to that of the state, whose faith was most grossly violated, never to cease his exertions for this purpose. The Mormons, it will be seen, were quiet, and not disposed to commit any acts of aggression; their enemies, on the other hand, were evidently disposed to push them to extremities, and to force them to leave the State. This feeling may be checked by the alacrity with which Gov. Ford's orders were being executed, but it will be some time before peace and order can be restored -- the disgrace of past acts cannot be wiped out.

Troops were stationed at Warsaw and Carthage, as late as June 30, and great excitement prevailed. A descent on Nauvoo was feared. Gov. Ford established his headquarters at Quincy because he was afraid to trust either the troops or the citizens around Carthage and Warsaw.

The Governor has deputed a comission to visit the Mormons at Nauvoo, to inquire particularly into their situation, and give them such instructions or orders as they may deem necessary.

Gov. Ford is praised, even by political opponents for his manly course; but his failure to protect the Smiths has impaired confodence in his efficiency. The Mormons are thoroughly subdued.

The address of the Governor is generally liked by the Mormons, who in meeting assembled, passed resolutions declaring their determination to adhere rigidly to the laws of the State and that instead of an "appeal to arms," they should appeal to the majesty of the law. Their moderation and course are just and commendable and will do them more good than opposite measures.

LATEST  FROM  THE  MORMONS.

We have news from Nauvoo to the 4th inst. -- Every thing remained quiet, although fears were still entertained of further violence. Gov. Ford has taken the strongest measures to preserve the peace, and has written a letter in which he states that upon the first appearance of hostility on the part of the Mormons an exterminating force would be sent against them. It is said that Joe Smith, in his revelation left with his widow, had appointed his son, a lad of twelve years old, Prophet in his place. The Mormons were many of them leaving Nauvoo, and it is somewhat probable that their city will be eventually abandoned and the tribe removed entirely from the State. The Mormon difficulties have already run the State of Illinois in debt some $20,000, which in her present impoverished condition she will find it extremely difficult to pay.

Dr. Foster, one of the seceding Mormons, has rendered himself peculiarly obnoxious to the tribe; and, on his way down from Burlington to Quincy he narrowly escaped with his life. Should they capture him and kill him -- and they threaten loudly that one event shall quickly follow the other -- the soldiery will be let lose upon them, and they will be slain by hundreds. Altogether it is a sad and melancholy business, and will leave a dark spot, side by side with the records of the Philadelphia riots, in the history of these times -- Tribune.

---

THE MURDER OF JOE SMITH. -- The following paragraphs are from the Warsaw Signal, a paper that has from the first taken a most active part against the Mormons -- We presume the particulars in regard to the murder of the Smiths are literally correct.

About four o'clock, P. M., a company of about one hundred armed men, marched to the jail in Carthage, and demanded the prisoners. A rush was made on the guards, who fired, but hurt nobody. They were immediately secured, and the men rushed up stairs to the room of the prisoners. For about two minutes, [the] discharge of fire arms within the jail was very rapid. Finally Joe raised the window, exclaimed, "oh my God," and threw himself out. He fell heavily on the ground, and was soon despatched. Hirum was shot in the jail. There were two other prisoners, Dr. Richards who we learn was not hurt, and J. Taylor, editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, who received five balls in his arms and legs. Immediately on the work being done, the men fled!

Taylor, the Editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, it is said, cannot survive. The burial of the two Smiths took place at Nauvoo yesterday evening, without causing any excitement or turbulent appearances whatever among the Mormons.

---

NAUVOO. -- The accounts of the number of the population of this city of the Mormonites vary considerably. The Mormons claim 20,000, and if it is true that the armed forces have kept up under the name of the Nauvoo Legion, has amounted to 3,000 men, they are probably correct. The general opinion, however, seems to be that the population does not exceed 12,000. It contains a large number of white-washed log houses, and some frame and brick houses. It has a hotel fronting on two streets, 120 feet on each, and 40 feet wide. The temple is 130 feet long and 100 wide. They have a University which has a professor of mathematics and English literature, a professor of learned languages, and a professor of church history. The city is laid out in streets of ample width, crossing each other at right angles. Few impostors have had so successful a career as the founder of this sect, since the days of Mahomet.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormon Convention met at Baltimore on Saturday, agreeable to appointment, and decided, on account of the death of their leader, Joe Smith, to make no movement on the Presidential question.


Notes: (forthcoming)

LIBERALITY OF A PRIEST. -- The last Jonesboro (Tennessee) Whig, edited by the Rev. Mr. Brownlow, contains the following editorial expression: --

"Our opinion is, that there is to be no peace in this country, till the Mormons and Catholics are exterminated."


Note 1: This item was quoted in the Nauvoo Times & Seasons of Sept. 2, 1844.Rev. Mr. Brownlow of Jonesborough, Tennessee and the Jonesborough Whig, were hardly friends of the Mormons. In the July 24, 1844 issue of the Whig the Editor (Brownlow) raves on about the assassins of Joseph Smith having "done the cause of God, and of the country, good service."

Note 2: The Editor at the Times & Seasons had little use for the Jonesborough Whig or the Boston Investigator. He comments: "To take the text (the quote from Brownlow) as a whole, as the fair position of the author; 'there is to be no peace in this vast country, till the Mormons and Catholics are exterminated!, -- which is rather a vast calculation, allowing each term to express what it means, and mean what it expresses. 'This vast country,' about comprises the habitable globe, and in nearly all places where there is people, there are 'Mormons and Catholics,' as well as priests in Jonesboro,' or Deists in Boston."

A MORMON SHOT. -- The St. Louis Republican of the 16th inst. states that a man was shot just back of Warsaw, Ill. on Friday previous. The Guard stationed there saw three men, supposed to be horse thieves, fired on them and one fell, He was a Mormon and they were retreating at the time. This looks a little like shooting too fast. It shows the feeling toward Mormons in that quarter.


Note: This same story was featured in thre or four of the St. Louis newspapers. The Editor of the Warsaw Signal, in his number for July 24th, takes the St. Louis papers to task for opining that the Warsaw guard was "shooting too fast."

Mormons in Hampden Co. -- We notice a published call for a special conference of the "Latter Day Saints" to be holden in the Town Hall in Westfield on the 27th and 28th of this month, "at which time the Twelve Apostles may be expected to deliver addresses touching the Religious and political destinies of our country and the world." (Springfield Gaz.)

---

(more articles follow, Gov. Ford, etc. -- under construction

Notes: (forthcoming)

A Convention of Mormons, or, as they call themselves, Latter Day Saints, has just occurred at Westfield, where we are told there is a Society numbering forty members. We happened to hear a discourse, in which one of the Elders undertook to prive, "as clear as day-light" that the Mormons had the power of working miracles and the gift of tongues. His points were as follows: --

1. Like causes produce like effects under the same circumstances.

2. We know from the Scriptures that the Apostles, and sundry of the early Christians received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and this gift involved the power of working miracles, and the gift of tongues.

3. Whoever has the Holy Ghost at the present day, must also, as God is unchangeable, have the power of working miracles, and the gift of tongues.

4. The Scriptures say that whoever shall know that Jesus Christ is the Lord shall receive the Holy Ghost.

5. Now the Mormons know that Jesus Christ is the Lord.

Ergo. The Mormons have the Holy Ghost, and by consequence, (point 3d) have the power of working miracles and the gift of tongues! -- Northhampton Courier.

---

It is said the Mormon mantle has fallen upon Sam Smith, elder [sic] brother to Joe the late Prophet, who has been or is to be inducted into office with all due solemnity, and take upon himself the entire government of the "Latter Day Saints," as prophet and patriarch in chief.


Note: As things turned out, Elder Samuel H. Smith died at Nauvoo before he could make a serious bid to manage the affairs of the LDS Church. There has been a long continuing suspicion within the Smith family that Samuel was poisoned (or otherwise brought to an early death) by the secret manipulations of certain high-ranking Mormons at Nauvoo.

Mormonism. -- Sidney Rigdon and Elder Hyde arrived in this city yesterday morning. We learn that Rigdon, who professed to have had a revelation, and returned a few weeks since from Pittsburg, to be the successor of Smith, has been regularly unchurched by the Twelve Apostles. He returns to Pittsburg to establish a paper. -- His views of Mormonism remain unchanged although they will not have him to rule over them. The administration of the affairs of the church for the present is to remain in the hands of the Twelve Apostles.   (St. Louis Republican, Sept. 12.)


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormon Troubles. -- The following letter was received yesterday, by a gentleman of this city, from another residing in Illinois, which will show the causes which induced Governor Ford, of that State, to invoke the aid of the militia: (Phil. Ledger.)


                                                 Springfield, Sept. 21st, 1844.

Dear Sir: -- Within the last few days we have bee informed of a new movement amongst the people of Hancock, and the adjoining counties, having for its object an attack upon the Mormons at Nauvoo. It is customary for the people of those counties to have an annual wolf hunt, upon which occasion they generally assemble in great numbers to enjoy the sport. This year, a military wolf hunt, on a very large scale, is projected to come off on the 25th and 27th instants, in which a large number of Missourians (report says several thousand) are expected to participate. A grand military ball will be given on the evening of the 24th, at Warsaw, at which all the leaders are to be present. The Governor having received by express a full account of the project, immediately ordered the equipment of 2500 militia from the counties this side of the Illinois river with orders to rendezvous at Rushville by the 24th. Large numbers of volunteers have gone from the adjoining counties; about 150 left Tremont yesterday, and 300 from Morgan county to-day.

The volunteer companies from this city will leave in the course of today and tomorrow. They consist of the City Lancers, Captain Elkin, armed and equipped as mounted riflemen; the Cadets, Captain Johnson, and the Springfield Artillery, Captain Baker, the latter having two brass field pieces; in all about 100 men, well armed and provisioned for a twelve days' campaign. The expense to the State will be enormous, considering her limited means. The people of Hancock and the other counties who are opposed to the Mormons have expressed their determination to prevent the murderers of Joe and Hiram Smith from being arrested, and as the courts are now in session in some of those counties, it is more than probable that the Governor may need all the force he has summoned to aid him in the execution of the law.

Sunday, 22d. -- the Governor and Staff, and the last of the volunteers, have justly left for the seat of war. What may be the result none can tell, of course. Many consider the whole thing a farce; others that it may end in difficulty.   Yours, &c.,   J. A. C.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Correspondence of the Republican.

LETTERS  FROM  A  TRAVELLER.
No. 13.  

City of Nauvoo, Ill., Sept. 14, 1844.          

Dear Sir: -- I chose to take a route by land from Quincy to this place, and left on the morning of the 12th, in a wagon with a pair of horses which I had chartered for the purpose. The first 12 or 15 miles of the route towards Warsaw, is the most beautiful undulating Prairie, and of superior capabilities for farming. There are a few miles of country somewhat broken into ridges and ravines, covered with timber, sparsely settled with people from Tennesee and Kentucky, with a sprinkling of natives of New England. There is very little appearance of enterprise or improvement on this part of the way: there are two small hamlets of very little consequence, called Ursa and Lima: We also passed Bear Creek, a stream perhaps as large as Mill River, in Springfield. Seeing a sign over a log cabin, of Cake and Beer, I went in, and notwithstanding the unpromising appearances outside, the interior was arranged with the utmost neatness, and the cake and beer which the lady of the house gave me was excellent. I certainly shall lay no claims for shrewdness in promptly making up my mind that she was a yankee. Mrs. Jackson told me she was a native of Rutland County, Vermont. Her husband was a house joiner, and was at work a few miles on the way to Warsaw. I had no difficulty in making up my mind, from her remarks, that they had made an almost fatal mistake in leaving the green hills of their native State, for, of the comforts they left behind them, scarcely one could be found here. I have much reason to believe, that this was one of thousands of instances of persons who would return with alacrity to the places they have left, if it was in their power. After passing over 6 or 8 miles of level Prairie. I arrived at Warsaw at 1 o'clock. Warsaw, like Quincy is built on a high bluff, and approaches the Mississippi by a road of a very steep grade. It is a place of considerable business, but is indifferently built.

You will remember that Warsaw was the scene of much excitement and alarm during a part of the time of the troubles with the Mormons of Nauvoo, and particularly after the assasination of Joseph and Hirum Smith in the Carthage jail. There was considerable reason for alarm, for if the Mormons had not been quieted by the assurances of Gov. Ford that the guilty murderers should be brought to justice, they would most probably have taken the matter into their own hands, and there was no force available under the control of the Governor, that could have prevnted against the well-organized and well-armed Nauvoo Legion.

A boat arriving while I was stopping for dinner, I dismissed my "land craft," and took passage to Nauvoo by water. I arrived here about sunset, and located myself at the "Mansion House," kept by Joe Smith up to the time of his death, and by his widow until a week past. It is now kept by Mr. William Marks, (a leading Mormon;) Mrs. Smith having moved into a very commodious house on the opposite side of the street.

Designing to make the best of the short time I could remain here, I immediately informed Mr. Marks that I was a stranger from "Yankee land," visiting Nauvoo for the purpose of learning every thing about the place and the people that circumstances would allow, and that he would, lay me under great obligations if he would give me, in the first place a horse and carriage and driver, to see what l could of the city, and the Temple now building, and after that to answer all my questions which he might not consider impertinent.

Mr. Marks very readily expressed a willingness tom aid me in my enquiries, and instead of sending his son, went with me himseIf.

Although the dusk of the evening was rapidly coming on, I soon saw that I was in a City. I had not before by any means acquired an adequate idea of the extent and population of the city of Nauvoo, nor the size, style, and superior workmanship of the TempIe, so far as it is advanced; but determined to look at the whoIe by day-light; I returned to the Hotel. I was introduced during the evening to Mrs. Joseph Smith Senior, Mother of Joe, and talked with her unreservedly of the affairs, of the Mormons, and of the horrid act which resulted in the death of two affectionate sons, on whom she had for a long time leaned for support. Mrs.Smith was from in Montague, Mass., is 63 years old, and her maiden name was Lucy Mack.

Her father kept for several years the tavern in Montegue, known afterwards as the "Gunn tavern," and afterwards kept public house in Keen, N. H. She, also for a time, before her marriage, lived with a relation in South Hadley, and when she foundthat I was familiar with the place where she had lived a haIf ceritury ago, she expressed great satisfaction, and made many inquiries about persons, some of whom are now living. I gave her all the information in my power, and she became so engaged that she was unwilling to suspend her conversation when it became time to retire for the night.

This morning, Mr. Marks took his horse and wagon quite early, and carried me again to the Temple, and quite to the rear of the city. I saw and talked with the Architect, who showed me all the drawings and plans of the Temple, and explained them as much as I had time to spare. I also saw and conversed with several of the workmen, an particularly with the stone-cutters and sculptors, and mounted the ladder and went on to the topmost part where they were laying the walls, and after all, I do not feel competent to give you an intelligible description, but will do the best I can.

I will in the first place say that the ground plot has no rival for beauty and eligibility for the site of a city in any other town on the Mississippi river, and I have seen no spot that resembles it near as much as the ground on which the city of Washington is built. -- The river at the northern end takes a sweep, and by the time it gets to the lower part of the city it describes an elipsis. The front on the flat alluvial part embraces perhaps one-third of the city, contains the principal part of the stores and the most of the public houses. This embraces Main street, which is a broad avenue 1 1/2 miles long, and severa! parallel streets; and others crossing them at right angles. The city then rises an easy grade to the level of the prairies, say 150 feet above the river. On this elevation the TempIe is situated and shows to the very best advantage; back of this the city still extends at least a mile, and the whole comprises an area of perhaps 4 square miles. You will not suppose that all this ground is compactly built upon, yet it is nearly as closely built as the great cjty I am comparing it with, and like that may be called a "city of distances" -- with this difference -- that at the rate the city of Nauvoo has progressed for five years past, it will very soon go ahead of its "illustrious predecessor" in the number and compactness of its population. The buildings are in general well built, a good portion of brick or stone; some of them are capacious and costly.

The Temple is situated relatively much as the City Hall is in Washington, and is a magnificent structure, so far as it is advanced. It is 128 feet long, 88 feet wide, and the walls 57 feet high. The materials are white lime stone which are quarried on their own ground within a convenient distance. There are 30 pilasters projecting about 15 inches from the walls, the bases of which are wrought to represent the rising moon in its first quarter, and the capitals which measured 5 feet high and 6 feet wide at top, represent the meridian sun, the whole executed in the most elaborate style, and indeed; the workmanship throughout is as well done as any thing in the United States. I speak with confidence, for I have seen and examined all the best specimens of stone cutting and masonry in this country. There are to be circular windows between each pilaster and midway between the upper and lower story windows, so finished as to represent stars. The whole is to be surmounted by a splendid dome. In the basement is the baptismal font, 18 feet long by 10 feet wide, standing on the backs of 12 oxen -- 4 Iooking south, 4 north, 2 east and 2 west. These are very handsomely carved of wood. I should not have known the nature of the material, if some lawless rascals had not defaced them by breaking off parts of the horns, &c. Two of the waIls are now up for the roof, and the work is going on with great vigor. There are on the Temple and at the quarry 140 men employed, besides numerous teams.

Mr. William Weeks, a native of Martha's Vineyard, is the Architect, from whose kindness I had most of the statements I have made.

Nauvoo contains 10,000 inhabitants and has an organized·military force of 4000 armed men. There have been within a year at least 12,000 people residing within the city.

I have a mass of facts in relation to the ceremonies of the Mormons and their history; also some, circumstances in relation to the war that have not been made public, which, if I can get time to arrange, I will give you.

Truly, Yours,            S.

Note 1: The above report was reprinted in the Nauvoo Neighbor of Nov. 13, 1844. It was subsequently cited as having appeared in the Republican of Sept. 14th -- which was the letter's date, and not the publication date.

Note 2: Luck Mack Smith's parents moved to Montague, Franklin Co., Massachusetts, in 1779, when she was about four years old. Gunn's Tavern was established in about 1726, south of town near the intersection of Sunderland Road and N. Leverett Road. The previous tavern-keeeper, before the Solomon Mack family arrived, appears to have been Eliphalet Allis. Lucy's sister Lovisa died in a Montague tavern -- see Mack's 1811 Narrative, page 44 and Anderson's Lucy's Book, page 245, note 31.

INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL IN THE WEST.

... visit to Nauvoo Ten Days following the Murder of Joseph Smith and His Brother... just ten days after the acting of that "tragi-comedy" whose closing scene was the murder of the Mormon Prophet and his brother... not without misgivings did the writer entrust himself to the uncouth person at the head of the "City Hotel" close to the Nauvoo Landing... being shown to his room... his roommates were Mormons... one began giving account of his travels to another brother Mormon... narrative of his recent adventures in language only a Latter Day Saint would understand... the Mormons were fearing a fresh outbreak of violence from their enemies... their enemies feared an outbreak from the Mormons... their mutual fears would keep both parties still... "went to sleep"... recognised friend "H. E." from Boston... accompanied through his city... reached the Temple after sunrise... the view... unfinished tombs of the Smiths near the temple... asking where the Prophet's grave was... told that no man knew the spot... God hid him and He did Moses... population is 18,000... every version of the late troubles was different than the others... at breakfast on the "Mansion House" the late residence of Joe Smith which is a tavern now kept by his widow... described... favored by the company of Mrs. Smith for breakfast... her four children... eldest 13... her husband's youngest brother, his mother and aunt with several other boarders... Mrs. Smith appeared sad but not overwhelmed and conversed freely about his death and the Nauvoo troubles... she felt the Mormons were doomed to slaughter and the city possessed by their enemies... asked her to what extent her husband regarded himself a prophet... she replied not in the same extravagant sense nor to the full extent his friends do... she seemed to have a much lower estimate of his prophetic character than is commonly entertained by Mormons... it is said only a few months ago, Smith turned her out and kicked her from the door stone... also conversed with Dr. Richards who had been in prison with the Smiths... a full-fed lazy man with a wound... the resurrection of Joe Smith on the third day was confidently spoken of... hired a colored Mormon to go nine miles to the ferry opposite Fort Madison in Iowa... soon after, Dr. Foster a seceding Mormon came over with a full brace of pistols and a Bowie knife which he said was necessary to make his retreat as he assisted in getting going the Nauvoo Expositor...


Note: Above summary will be replaced with forthcoming transcribed text.

MRS. JOE SMITH. -- Grand Design of the Prophet. -- A correspondent at Alton, after stating that the recent murder of Smith has been followed by a dispersion of his followers, gives the following interesting items: Mrs. Joe Smith, it is said, has lost all confidence (if she ever had any) in the Mormon faith. She will soon retire to some secure situation, undoubtedly the richest lady in the West. Joe had been amassing money for several years, for the purpose of eventually going to Jerusalem, intending to issue a proclamation calling in the Jews, over whom he was to be head till the return of Christ upon the earth -- which event he believed would take place 45 years from 1844. With reference to this expedition he was crowned 'King of Israel' in 1844, by the Council of fifty, denominated the 'Ancient of days.' The fifty were all sworn to [secrecy]. I had the fact from one who assisted at the coronation -- divulged since Joe's death. This was the prophet's grand design; and had it been generally known, would perhaps, have saved our State from the disgrace and infamy of perpetrating so foul a murder. The fact affords a key to certain movements of the prophet, which are otherwise wholly inexplicable. -- N. Bedford Bulletin.

---

MORMONISM: Reactions to Joseph Smith's Death in Scotland. -- ... LDS Church flourishing in Scotland... 17 churches and associations in and around Glasgow with 1133 members... Glasgow church has 400... a man named Cairns from America is the author of the movement... news of the death of Joseph Smith has just reached them and it has not stumbled them... the Kilbirnie delegate cried when he heard of Smith's murder but took it as a sign of his work being from God... reactions to Smith's death...


Note 1: A rare and unusual exposure of the LDS secret Council of Fifty at Nauvoo and of their corronation of Joseph Smith, Jr., not only 'King of Israel' but also king of the entire planet. The assertion about Smith's plan to eventually travel in person to Jerusalem seems suspect, however. See also a similar reprint in the Putney Perfectionist of Nov. 2, 1844.

Note 2: The second article's summary will be replaced with forthcoming transcribed text.

MRS. JOE SMITH. -- Grand Design of the Prophet. -- A correspondent at Alton, after stating that the recent murder of Smith has been followed by a dispersion of his followers, gives the following interesting items: Mrs. Joe Smith, it is said, has lost all confidence (if she ever had any) in the Mormon faith. She will soon retire to some secure situation, undoubtedly the richest lady in the West. Joe had been amassing money for several years, for the purpose of eventually going to Jerusalem, intending to issue a proclamation calling in the Jews, over whom he was to be head till the return of Christ upon the earth -- which event he believed would take place 45 years from 1844. With reference to this expedition he was crowned 'King of Israel' in 1844, by the Council of fifty, denominated the 'Ancient of days.' The fifty were all sworn to [secrecy]. I had the fact from one who assisted at the coronation -- divulged since Joe's death. This was the prophet's grand design; and had it been generally known, would perhaps, have saved our State from the disgrace and infamy of perpetrating so foul a murder. The fact affords a key to certain movements of the prophet, which are otherwise wholly inexplicable. -- N. Bedford Bulletin.


Note: Rumors regarding Emma Smith's infidelity to Mormonism were rekindled a year later with the appearance of a letter bearing her name, in the Dec 9, 1845 issue of the New York Sun.