Sidney Ringdon, notorious as one of the Mormon leaders, was indicted for solemnizing marriages without license, and tried at the present term of the Court of Common Pleas of this country. The performance of the marriage ceremony by Ringdon having been proven, on the part of the prosecution, Ringdon produced a license of the Court, which had been granted to him several years ago, as a Minister of the Gospel of that sect usually called Campbellites, but who call themselves Disciples, to continue so long as he remained a Minister in regular standing in that denomination. The prosecution then undertook to prove by proof that he had abandoned that church, and joined the Mormons, and held principles inconsistent with his former faith. It appeared that the society of Disciples kept written minutes of their proceedings, and no church record of his dismissal being offered, the Court rejected the testimony, and a nolle prosequi was entered. -- Ohio Gazette.


Note: The above is a somewhat paraphrased rendering of a news report from the Oct. 30, 1835 issue of the Ohio Chardon Spectator and Geauga Gazette.

MATTHIAS has not joined the Mormons. If they have pretty women among them no doubt he will.

Note: Robert Matthews (1788-1841), alias Robert Matthias, (a.k.a. "Joshua the Jewish minister") was a religious fraud who went about the country claiming to be God in the body of the biblical Apostle Matthias. He traveled through Ohio during 1835, stopping at Kirtland to visit with Joseph Smith, Jr. on Nov. 9th of that year. Apparently word of this visit got back to editor James G. Bennett about the time he inserted this notice in the Herald.

WALKING ON THE WATER. -- Mr. McIntosh has fixed on this afternoon to exhibit his feat of walking on the surface of the water. He intends to place himself in a marine bed, laying under the surface of the water, and propelling it at the rate of four miles an hour. Good in shipwrecks, we would say. Let's go and see him.

Note: At about this same time the first reports of Mormon elders "walking on the water" began to appear in the public press. No well substantiated report of suvh an incident has yet come to light, however.

THE BANK OF MONROE shall be cut up to-morrow. The little insolent county banks which flood this city with paper rags have reached the end of their reign. -- They cannot intimidate the Herald from telling the truth as they do the Wall street corrupt newspapers.

Note: This Michigan territorial bank was several times in seemingly severe finanacial straits. The Mormons bought it at the beginning of 1837 and Oliver Cowdery was its last managing officer. See the Mar. 16, 1837 issue of the Monroe Times for a concluding report on the Mormon bank's dubious status.

COUNTRY BANKS -- BANK OF MONROE, MICHIGAN. -- On the failure of Rathbun of Buffalo, and the public attention being turned to the country banking currency, we advised all to refuse the notes issued by little banks at a distance, because these institutions were held by speculators, who circulated their notes away from the point of issue, merely to trade and carry on their own schemes, by the credit the community placed in them. Among others, the Bank of Monroe, in Michigan, came to our notice. In reply to our civil inquiries, we find the following insolent statement, published in one of its miserable organs in Buffalo:

BANK OF MONROE,. -- It is with regret that we see an institution, conducted by men of approved upright character, and giving universal satisfaction to the wide community of commercial interests of which it is an efficient aid, so much moved by the attacks of an infamous and licentious paper in New York, as to seriously undertake its defence in the public prints.

At a meeting of the Directors of the Bank of Monroe, Michigan, on the 24th ult., the following facts were made out to answer the libellous [innuendoes] of the New York Herald.

1. The stock of the Bank of Monroe consists of 2,000 shares; 1,600 of which are held by Christmas, Livingston. Prime, and Coster, of New York, and the residue, 400 shares, by respectable citizens of the State of Michigan.

2. $50,000 have been paid in.

3. Less than $100,000 of notes are in circulation, being one third less than is allowed by law. The deposits in this bank range from #30,000 to $80,000.

4. The specie and available funds belonging to the institution are much more than sufficient to meet all its liabilities, come when they may. This bank has never, under its present organization, declined paying specie for its notes when demanded; and we condidently believe it never will.

5. Benjamin Rathbun, or any person connected with him, owed not one dollar to this institution at the time of his failure, and we have no reason to believe it has one bad debt due it.

H. Smith, President, G. B. Harleston, L. Durocher, J. J. Godfroy, B. J. Hathway, Directors.

Lastly. The question, who is George B. Harlston, the present Cashier? the undersigned answer, in their individual capacities -- Mr. Harleston is an estimable, enterprising, and worthy citizen of this place; a man whose business capacities, honesty, honor, and integrity, we, and we believe this community generally have the fullest confidence. And we may add, that he is the proprietor of unembarrassed real property, in this state, which may safely be estimated at from $100,000 to $150,000.

H. Smith, President, J. Godfroy, B. J. Hathway, L. Durocher,

Let us analyze the facts of their answer. First they say Christmas, Livingston. Prime, and Coster, hold 1600 shares out of 2000. Very true, but how do they hold them? Is it not as security for the payment of a certain bond held by them against George B. Harleston? and does not George B. Harleston hold of them an irrevocable Power of Attorney, to vote on the said 1600 shares and elect such President, Directors and Cashier, as he sees fit? And will these officers not be merely subservient to his own views? Will not George B. Harleston control George B. Harleston? Will these officers be men to conduct the business of the institution after the views of Christmas, Livingston. Prime, and Coster? This is an eminent house to hold up to the public as holding the majority of the stock; but who virtually holds the stock? Why George B. Harleston, and Christmas, Livingston. Prime, and Coster have no more voice than Jim Crow in the direction.

Again theysay their circulation is less than $100,000, and specie sufficient to redeem every dollar, come when it may. Dare they permit a committee, sworn to report the true situation of the bank, to have access to their books, and to examine the officers under oath? Daew they say how much circulation they had on the 1st of September? how much specie they had at that time to a dollar, not about how much? and also let them say how much protested paper George B. Harleston, the Cashier, and holder of 1600 shares of stock had there at that time? and also let them say how much paper they had under discount at that time, and how much his private account was overdrawn? When these three items are added together, if the amount does not more than equal the capital paid in, then we may be disposed to give them the support of our paper, but not till then.

But in addition to these points, we find in "Bicknell's Philadelphia Reporter" of yesterday, the following startling paragraph addressed to the editor: --

Extract to the Editor, dated New York, Sept. 10th, 1836.

"Robert T. Bicknell, Esq. -- Dear Sir, -- I have to inform you that the notes of the Bank of Monroe, Michigan, are no longer received by the Brokers in this city, and the Bank is now very generally believed to be broken. Within a few days two or three drafts have been returned by the agent protested."

Such is the Bank of Monroe -- such is the miserable rotten, contemptible concern which has the daring effrontery, by its agents, to call the Herald "a most famous and licentious paper," merely because we choose to protect, as far as in us lies, the public from the schemes of such speculators as Harleston and his four men of straw. The insolence of these rotten little speculators' banks must be met and put down. -- The country is in a dangerous condition. The great mass of the people are cheated, robbed, and plundered out of their property and labor by bank speculators, and when an independent journal dares to be honest, dares to tell the truth, their minions fulminate the anathemas a thousand miles against them. The Wall St. papers and the miserable country papers of both parties, are in league with these corrupt and atrocious institutions which are making money out of the public by every species of trick, treachery and deception. We at least do a cash business -- want no credit, and care no more for a bank than we do for the dirt under our feet. These banks will find, one and all, that we will never shrink from telling the truth of any institution, however powerful or impudent it be.

Can the public circulate for an hour any more bills of the Bank of Monroe? Ought the Secretary of the Treasury to continue the public deposites in an institution which is used merely as an instrument of Harleston, who is a mere loafer recently kicked out of Wall street for cause, driven also out of Newburgh, and now "loafs" in Michigan?


Note 1: Evidently the businessmen and financiers of Buffalo took a special interest in the fortunes of the Bank of Monroe, in distant Michigan. The first newspaper quoted from above has not yet been located, but another, contemporary article on the Bank of Monroe may be found in the Jan. 6, 1837 issue of the Black Rock Advocate.

Note 2: Captain H. Smith was replaced in the office of the Bank's presidency about the end of January, 1837 -- possibly by Joseph Smith's brother, Hyrum Smith. A certain "H. Smith" (not necessarily Captain Smith) resigned his presidency on Feb. 24, 1837. The presidency was probably left vacant between Feb. 24 and March 10 -- at which time "Vice President" Oliver Cowdery issued the institution's last published financial statement. Shortly thereafter the Bank closed its doors permanently.

Note 3: See the Feb. 15, 1837 issue of the Cleveland Weekly Gazette for some comments regarding the Bank of Monroe and the public assurances given, on or about Feb. 2, 1837, by Mr. J. V. Ayer of Buffalo, saying that the Mormons had not taken control of the Monroe financial institution. On Feb. 10, 1837 Joseph Smith, Jr., Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery attended a meeting in Monroe finalizing the Mormon buy-out of the Bank of Monroe. Probably what happened is that Mr. Harleston put up the title to some of his Michigan land, in exchange for the return of his shares from his creditors, Christmas, Livingston. Prime, and Coster. Given the shaky condition of the Bank, Harleston quickly rid himself of these nearly worthless shares, passing them off to the Mormons, in trade for some sort of negotiable paper -- perhaps a quantity of the Mormons' newly-issued Kirtland Safety Society bank-notes. Harleston thus disassociated himself from the failing bank, and raised enough cash to pay for a successful campaign to become the Mayor of Monroe. The Mormons made what use they could of the Bank, for a few weeks, and then abandoned the cleaned-out institution.

BANK OF MONROE, MICHIGAN. -- Will the Secretary of the Treasury please to look into the affairs of this institution? It is not possible that he will permit the public funds any longer to remain in a bank wgich is utterly rotten? Indeed, if the givernment do not look well about them, they will find a large hole made in their surplus, by the winding up of the banks in Michigan and northern Ohio.

---

MICHIGAN BANKS. -- We have a most remarkable development to make of the system of banking in Michigan. It is corrupt and rotten to the core. We request the public to refuse all the notes issued by the banks in Ohio or Michigan. Their system of banking [is] mere speculation and the [worst] that ever existed in any country. It must be pruned to the bottom.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MICHIGAN AND OHIO BANKS. -- In Michigan there are now in operation six or seven banks, besides as many more that were chartered last year and now preparing to come into operation the first opportunity. A bank of $200,000 capital in Michigan, will start with $50,000 paid in, a few thousands in specie, and a beautiful steel-plate, either lined or dotted, displaying Liberty in her petticoats, or Industry in his breeches and short sleeves. This is their stock in trade. They are great patrons of the arts, particularly the art of bank note engraving and humbug.

Frequently bank charters are up for sale to the highest bidder like town lots, or mill sites, or new cities. Last year several banks were sold out, stock and fluke, to speculators in other states -- New York, Albany, or Utica. The purchasers will give the owners $20,000 for a bank, and their first operation of the former after he has got the bank, is to pay himself his $20,000 advance by taking it out of the bank, and then remunerating himself by forcing more paper into circulation, and sending it to a greater distance, so that it can be kept out a long time.

About this time, several more new banks are expected to be started in Ohio and Michigan, but the recent failure of Rathvun of Buffalo, and the development of their mode of doing business, has alarmed the community -- and made even speculators pause. -- About six or seven banks, requiring five millions of capital, have gone and are going into operation in this state. This call requires a large supply of capital, and heightens the difficulty of procuring it to more distant banks. Fifty thousand dollars in the currency of [a] good bank, and ten thousand dollars in specie, will set a going a dozen of these remote Western banks. After one has used it, then it goes beyond the next hill or across the next river, the cashier swimming the stream on horseback, to start another bank. Their notes are then signed -- packed up in bundles of $10,000 each, and sent into New York, to be circulated among the work people and mechanics.

In this way a capital is raised by these speculators. They use it -- they flourish a few years -- the bubble bursts -- the bank breaks -- the speculator takes care [of] himself -- and the principal losers are the credulous public, who took their vile trash, supposing them to be men of honor and integrity.


Notes: (forthcoming)

ARRIVAL OF MORMONS AT QUEBEC. -- The Harmony has arrived at Quebec, from Bristol, with a large number of Mormons on their way to Illinois; they are attended by two of their prophets.

Notes: (forthcoming)

Highly Important from the Far West --
Remarkable Movements of the Lattter Day Saints --
A Crisis Approaching.

We have received from Nauvoo, the modern city of Jehovah, highly important despatches, developing, the movements and purposes of the Mormons, now "staked" as they call it, at Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, and in Iowa, on the opposite side of the Mississippi River.

We have already stated that Joe Smith, the Latter Day prophet, has been arrested by the Governor of Illinois, but that he had procured a habeas corpus, and waited its decision. He has been charged with treason to the State of Missouri, but this is merely a trick of one set of speculators to put down the leading men of another set. Smith and the Mormons have taken possession of some 230,000 acres of fine land on the Missouri -- that is squatted on it, or "put down the stakes" as they call it. This has created excitement among the other sects, and Smith is charged with all sorts of crimes.

We annex the following singular document, revealing the views and purposes of the Mormons, and of their remarkable leader Joe Smith. It will be seen that it bears a strong resemblance to the celebrated "Proclamation" issued by M. M. Noah, from Grand Island, calling the Jews together from all parts of the earth, and attempting to impose a shekel of silver on every head. This Noah has been since placed, as we learn, on the criminal bench of a city called New York -- and we should not be surprised if Joe Smith were made Governor of a new religious territory in the west, that may rival the Arabians one of these days.

The  Revelation,
GIVEN TO JOSEPH SMITH, JR., JAN. 19TH, 1841.

Verily, thus saith the Lord, unto you my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offerings and acknowledgments which you have made, for unto this end have I raised you up, that l might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth. Your prayers are acceptable before me, and in answer to them, I say unto you, that you are now called, immediately to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel, and of this stake which I have planted to be a corner stone of Zion, which shall be polished with that refinement which is after the similitude of a palace. This proclamation shall be made to all the kings of the world to the four corners thereof -- to the honorable President elect, and the high minded Governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad. Let it be written in the spirit of meekness, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be in you at the time of the writing of the same; for it shall be given you by the Holy Ghost to know my will concerning those kings and authorities, even what shall befal them in a time to come. For, behold! l am about to call upon them to give heed to the light and glory of Zion, for the set time has come to favor her.

Call ye, therefore, upon them with loud proclamation and with your testimony, fearing them not, for they are as grass, and all their glory as the flower thereof, which soon faileth that they may be left also without excuse and that I may visit them in the day of visitation, upon I shall unveil the face of my covering, to appoint the portion of the oppressor among hypocrites, where there is gnashing of teeth, if they reject my servants and my testimony which I have revealed unto them. And, again I will visit and soften their hearts, many of them, for your good, that ye may find grace in their eyes, that they may come to the light of truth, and the Gentiles to the exaltation or lifting up of Zion. For the day of my visitation cometh speedily, in an hour when ye think not of and where shall be the safety of my people? and refuge for those who shall be left of them? Awake! O kings of the earth! Come ye, O! come ye with your gold and your silver, to the help of my people -- to the house of the daughter of Zion.

And again, verily, I say unto you, let my servant Robert B. Thompson help you to write this proclamation, for I am well pleased with him, and that he should be with you, let him, therefore, hearken to your council, and I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings, let him be faithful and true in all things from henceforth and he shall be great in mine eyes; but let him remember that his stewardship will I require at his hands.

And again, verily, I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith, for I the Lord loveth him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord.

Again, let my servant John C. Bennett, help you in your laboi, in sending my word to the Kings and the people of the earth, and stand by you, even you my servant Joseph Smith, in the hour of affliction, and his reward shall not fail if he receive council, and for his love, he shall be great, for he shall be mine if he does this, saith the Lord. I have seen the work he hath done, which I .acoept, if he continue; and will crown him with blessings and great glory.

And again, I say unto you, that it is my will that my servant Lyman Wight, should continue in preaching for Zion, in the spirit of meekness, confessing me before the world, and I will bear him up as on eagle's wings, and he shall beget glory and honor to himself, and to my name, that when he shall finish his work, I may receive him unto myself, even as I did my servant David Patten, who is with me at this time, and also, my servant Edward Partridge, and also my aged servant Joseph Smith, sen., who setteth with Abraham, at his right hand, and blessed and holy is he, for he is mine.

And again, verily, I say unto you, my servant George Miller is without guile, he may be trusted because of the integrity of his heart and for the love which he has to my testimony, I the Lord loveth him. I therefore say unto you, I seal upon his head the office of a bishoprick, like unto my servant Edward Partridge, that he may receive the consecrations of mine house, that he may administer blessings upon the heads of the poor of my people, saith the Lord. Let no man despise my servant George, for he shall honor me. Let my servant George, and my servant Lyman, and my servant John Snider, and others, build a house unto my name such an one as my servant Joseph shall show unto them, upon the place which he shall show unto them also. And it shall be for a house of boarding, a house that strangers may come from afar to lodge therein -- therefore let it be a good house, worthy of all acceptation, that the weary traveller may find health and safety while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord, and the corner stone I have appointed for Zion. This house shall he a healthy habitation, if it be built unto my name, and if the governor which shall be appointed unto it, shall not suffer any pollution to come upon it. It shall be holy, or the Lord your God will not dwell therein.

And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, let all my saints from afar, and send ye swift messengers yea chosen messengers, and say unto them, come ye with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities, and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come may come, and bring the box tree and the fir tree, and the pine tree, together with all the precious trees of the earth, and with iron, and with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious things of the earth, and build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein, for there is not place found on earth, that he may come and restore again that which was lost to you, or, which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood; for a baptismal font there is not upon the earth; but they my saints may be baptised for those who are dead; for this ordinance belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days of your poverty, wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me. But I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me, and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me, and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me. But, behold, at the end of this appointment, your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me, and if you do not these things at the end of the appointment, ye shall be rejected as a church with your dead, saith the Lord your God. For verily I say unto you, that after you have had sufficient time to build a house unto me, wherein the ordinance of baptism for the dead belongeth, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world. your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me, for therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained, that you may receive honor and glory. -- And after this time your baptisms for the dead, by those who are scattered abroad, are not acceptable unto me, saith the Lord; for it is ordained that in Zion and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead.

And again, verily, l say unto you, how shall your washings be acceptable unto me except ye perform them in a house which you have built to my name? For, for this cause I commanded Moses, that he should build a tabernacle, that they should bear it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of promise that those ordinances might be revealed, which had been hid from before the world was, therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices, by the sons of Levi, and your oracles in your most holy places, wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes, and judgments, for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion and for the glory, honor, and adornment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.

and verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people, for I design to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world -- things that pertain to the dispensation of the fullness of times; and I will show unto my servant Joseph, all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built, and ye shall build it on the place where you have contemplated building it, for that is the spot which l have chosen for you to build it. If ye labor with all your mights, I will consecrate that spot, and it shall be made holy; and if my people will hearken to my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed, to lead my people, behold verily, I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place. But if they will not hearken unto my voice, nor unto the voice of those men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest, because they pollute my holy grounds, and my holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words, which I give unto them.

And it shall come to pass, that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath which I make unto you, neither fulfill the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord; for instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgment upon your own heads by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practiced before me, saith the Lord.

Verily, verily I say unto you, that when I give a commandment unto any of the sons of men, to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their mights, and with all the have, to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them, and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behoveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings; and the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments, I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and forth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God. Therefore, for this cause have accepted the offerings of those men whom I commanded to build a city and a house unto my name in Jackson county Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God; and I will answer judgment, wrath, indignation, wailing, anguish and gnashing of teeth upon their heads unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God. And this I make an ensample unto you, for your consolation, concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work, and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies, and by oppression, saith the Lord your God; for I am the Lord your God, and will save all those of your brethren who have been pure in heart, and have been slain in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord.

And again, verily, I say unto you, I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place that ye may prove yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality and eternal life.

And now I say unto you as pertaining to my boarding house, which I commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers; let it be built unto my name, and let my name he named upon it and let my servant Joseph and his house have places therein from generation to generation. For this anointing have I put upon his head, that his blessing shall also be put upon the heads of his posterity after him, and as I said unto Abraham, concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so, I say unto my servant Joseph, in thee, and in thy seed, shall the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Therefore, let my servant Joseph and his seed after him, have place in that house from generation to generation for ever and ever, saith the Lord, and let the name of that house be called the Nauvoo House, and let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting place for the weary traveller, that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this the corner stone thereof, that he may receive, also, the council from those whom 1 have set to be as plants of renown, and as watchmen upon her walls.

Behold! verily I say unto you, let my servant George Miller, and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant Peter Hawes, organize themselves, and appoint one of them to be a president over their quorum, for the purpose of building that house.

Verily, I say unto you, if my servant George Miller and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant John Snider, and my servant Peter Hawes, receive any stock into their hands, in moneys or in properties, wherein they receive the real value of moneys, they shall not appropriate any portion of that stock to any other purpose, only in that house, and if they do appropriate any portion of that stock, any where else, only in that house without the consent of the stockholders, and do not repay four fold, they shall be accursed, and shall be removed out of their place, saith the Lord God, for I the Lord am God, and cannot be mocked in any of these things.

Let my servant Vinson Knight lift up his voice long and loud in the midst of the people, to plead the cause of the poor and needy, and let him not fail, neither let his heart faint, and I will accept of his offerings, for they shall not be unto me as the offerings of Cain, for he shall be mine, saith the Lord. Let his family rejoice and turn away their hearts from affliction, for I have chosen him and anointed him and he shall be honored in the midst of his house, for I will forgive all his sins, saith the Lord, Amen.

Let my servant Isaac Galland put stock in that house for I the Lord loveth him for the work he hath done, and will forgive all his sins, therefore let him be remembered for an interest in that house from generation to generation. Let my servant Isaac Galland be appointed among you, and be ordained by my servant William Marks, and be blessed of him to go with my servant Hyrum to accomplish the work that my servant Joseph shall point out to them, and they shall be greatly blessed.

Let my servant William Law pay stock in that house for himself and his seed after him, from generation to generation. If he will do my will, let him not take his family unto the eastern lands, even unto Kirtland, nevertheless I the Lord will build up Kirtland, but I the Lord have a scourge prepared for the inhabitants thereof. Let no man go from this place who has come here assaying to keep my commandments. If they live here, let them live unto me, and if they die, let them die unto me, for they shall rest from all their labors here and shall continue their works. Therefore, let my servant William put his trust in me, and cease to fear concerning his family, because of the sickness of the land. If ye love me, keep my commandments, and the sickness of the land shall redound to your glory.

Let my servant William go and proclaim mine everlasting gospel, with a loud voice, and with great joy as he shall be moved upon by my spirit unto the inhabitants of Warsaw, and also unto the inhabitants of Carthage, and also unto the inhabitants of Burlington, and also unto the inhabitants of Madison, and then await patiently and diligently for further instructions at my general conference, saith the Lord. If he will do my will let him from henceforth hearken to the council of my servant Joseph, and with his interest support the cause of the poor, and publish the new translation of my holy word unto the inhabitants of the earth; and if he will do this, I will bless him, with a multiplicity of blessings that he shall not be forsaken, nor his seed be found begging bread.

And again, verily, I say unto you, let my servant William be appointed, ordained, and anointed as a counselor unto my servant Joseph, in the room of my servant Hyrum; that my servant Hyrum may take the office of priesthood and patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father, by blessing also by right, that from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people that whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curseth shall be cursed -- that whatsoever he shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven, and from this time forth appoint unto him, that he maybe prophet and a seer and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph, that he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph, and that he shall receive council from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys, whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessings. I crown upon his head, the bishoprick, and blessing, and glory and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were put upon him, that was my servant, Oliver Cowdery; that my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which l shall shew unto him, that his name may be had in honorable remembrance from generation to generation, for ever and for ever. Let my servant, William Law, also receive the keys by which he may ask and receive blessings; let him be humble before me, and be without guile, and he shall receive my spirit, even the comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him in the very hour, what he shall say, and these signs shall follow him; he shall heal the sick, he shall cast out devils, and shall be delivered from those who would administer unto him deadly poison, and shall be led in paths where the poisonous serpent cannot lay hold upon his heel; and he shall mount up as upon eagle's wings and, what if I will that he should raise the dead, let him not withhold his voice. Therefore, let my servant William cry aloud and spare not, with joy and rejoicing, and with hosannas to him that sitteth upon the throne for ever and forever, saith the Lord your God.

Behold! I say unto yon, I have a mission in store for my servant William, and my servant Hyrum, and for them alone, and let my servant Joseph tarry at home. for he is needed; the remainder I will shew unto you hereafter, even so, amen.

And again, verlly, I say unto you, if my servant Sidney will serve me and be a counsellor unto my servant Joseph, let him arise, and come up and stand in the office of his calling and humble himself before me, and if he will offer unto me an acceptable offering and acknowledgments, and remain with my people, behold I the Lord your Gorl will heal him that he shall be healed and he shall lift up his voice again on the mountains and be a spokesman before my face. Let him come and locate his family in the neighborhood in which my servant Joseph resides, and in all his journeyings let him lift up his voice as with the sound of a trump and warn the inhabitants of the earth to flee the wrath to come, let him assist my servant Joseph, and also, let my servant Willlam Law assist my servant Joseph in making a solemn proclamation unto the Kings of the earth, even as I have before said unto you. If my servant Sidney will do my will, let him not move his family unto the eastern lands but let him change their habitation even as I have said. Behold it is not my will that he shall seek to find safety and refugc out of the city which I have appointed unto you, even the city of Nauvoo. Verily I say unto you even now, if he will hearken to my voice it shall be well with him.

_______

The Sermon,

                                                Sunday Morning, May 16, 1841
The indications of the morning promised a beautiful day. At 10 o'clock A. M. a large concourse of the saints assembled on the meeting ground, and were addressed by Pres. Joseph Smith, who spoke at considerable length. He commenced his observations by remarking that the kindness of our Heavenly Father, called for our heartfelt gratitude. He then observed that Satan was generally blamed for the evils which we did, but if he was the cause of all our wickedness, men could not be condemned. The devil cannot compel mankind to evil, all was voluntary. Those who resist the spirit of God are liable to be led into temptation, and then the association of heaven is withdrawn from those who refuse to be made partakers of such great glory -- God would not exert any compulsory means and the Devil could not; and such ideas as were entertained by many were absurd. The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but Christ subjected the same in hope -- we are all subject to vanity while we travel through the crooked paths, and difficulties which surround us. Where is the man that is free from vanity? None ever were perfect but Jesus, and why was he perfect? Because he was the son of God, and had the fulness of the Spirit, and greater power than any man. But notwithstanding our vanity, we look forward with hope, (because "we are subjected in hope,") to the time of our deliverance.

He then made some observations on the first principles of the gospel, observing that many of the saints who had come from different States and Nations, had only a very superficial knowledge of these principles, not having heard them fully investigated. He then briefly stated the principles of faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, which were believed by some of the religious societies of the day, but the doctrine of laving on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost, was discarded by them.

The speaker then referred them to the 6th chap. of Heb. 1 and 2 verses, "not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, &c. but of the doctrines of baptism, laying on of hands, the resurrection and eternal Judgment, &c." The doctrine of eternal judgment was perfectly understood by the apostles, is evident from several passages of Scripture. Peter preached repentance and baptised for the remission of sins to the Jews, who had been led to acts of violence and blood by their leaders, but to the Rulers he said, "I would that through ignorance ye did it, as did also those ye ruled." Repent, therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing (redemption) shall come from the presence of the Lord, for he shall send Jesus Christ, who before was preached unto you, &c." The time of redemption here had reference to the time, when Christ should come, then and not till then would their sins be blotted out. Why? Because they were murderers, and no murderer hath eternal life. Even David, must wait for those times of refreshing, before he can come forth and his sins be blotted out; for Peter speaking of him says, "David hath not yet ascended into heaven, for his sepulchre is with us to this day:" his remains were then in the tomb. Now we read that many bodies of the saints arose, at Christ's resurrection probably all the saints, but it seems that David did not. Why? because he had been a murderer.

If the ministers of religion had a proper understanding of the doctrine of eternal judgment, they would not be found attending the man who had forfeited his life to the injured laws of his country, by shedding innocent blood; for such characters cannot be forgiven until they have paid the last farthing. The prayers of all the ministers in the world could never close the gates of hell against a murderer.

The speaker then spoke on the subject of election, and read the 9th chapter in Romans, from which it was evident that the election there spoken of was pertaining to the flesh, and had reference to the seed of Abraham, according to the promise God made to Abraham saying, "In thee and in thy seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed." To them belonged the adoption, and the covenants, &c. Paul said, when he saw their unbelief, I wish myself accursed -- according to the flesh -- not according to the spirit.

Why did God say to Pharaoh "for this cause have I raised thee up?" Because Pharaoh was a fit instrument -- a wicked man, and had committed acts of cruelty of the most atrocious nature.

The election of the promised seed still continues, and in the last days, they shall have the priesthood restored unto them, and they shall be the "Saviors on Mount Zion" the "ministers of our God," if it were not for the remnant which was left, then might we be as Sodom and as Gomorrah

The whole of the chapter had reference to the priesthood and the house of Israel, and unconditional election of individuals to eternal life was not taught by the apostles

God did elect or predestinate that all those who would be saved, should he saved in Christ Jesus, and through obedience to the gospel; but he passes over no man's sins, but visits them with correction, and if his children will not repent of their sins, he will discard them.

_______

The Proclamation to the Saints Abroad.

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, anxious to promote the prosperity of said church, feel it their duty to call upon the saints who reside out of this county, to make preparations to come in, without delay. This is important, and should be attended to by all who feel an interest in the prosperity of this the corner stone of Zion. Here the Temple must be raised, the University be built, and other edifices erected, which are necessary for the great work of the last days; and which can only be done by a concentration of energy, and enterprise. Let it therefore be understood, that all the stakes, excepting those in this county, and in Lee county Iowa, are discontinued, and the saints instructed to settle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit.

                                                JOSEPH SMITH.
City of Nauvoo, Hancock Co. Illinois,
      May 24th, 1841.

_______

Military preparations -- Nauvoo Legion.

                                   HEAD QUARTERS, NAUVOO LEGION, CITY OF
                                   NAUVOO, Illinois, May 23. A. D. 1841.

                                               GENERAL ORDERS.

The lst Company (riflemen) 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Cohort, will be attached to the escort contemplated in the general orders of the 4th inst., for the 3d of July next.

In forming the Legion, the Adjutant will observe the rank of companies as follows, to wit: --

1st Cohort -- the flying artillery first, the lancers next the riflemen next, visiting companies of dragoons next the lancers and cavalry next, the dragoons -- 2d Cohort -- the artillery first, the lancers next, the riflemen next, the light infantry next, and the infantry next -- visiting companies in their appropriate places on the right of the troops of their own grade: the ranking company of the 1st Cohort will be formed on the right of said cohort, -- and the ranking company of the 2d Cohort will be formed on the left of said cohort -- the next on the left of the right, the next on the right of the left and so on to the center. The escort will be formed on the right of the forces.
                                               JOSEPH SMITH, Lieut. General.

John C. Bennett, Maj. General.


It will be seen from these curious and unique documents, that Joe Smith is far superior, as a religious impostor to what Noah was, in all the talent and genius necessary to create a new sect, or institute a fresh religion, or organise a new humbug. -- Joe has some of the energetic characteristics of Mahomet, the Arabian prophet, or Moses, the Jewish prophet. His "Revelation" is his code of thought -- his "Sermon," his practice at home -- his "Proclamation" is carrying Mormons to the West -- and his "General Orders" show that he is determined not to be put down by the Gentiles.

Altogether, the movement of Joe Smith is one of the most remarkable in these latter days. Mixed up with religion, as a basis, he avails himself of all the civilization and improvements of the day -- military and civil. With a band of 2000 men, acting under a religious feeling, what is to prevent Joe from establishing his power in the West, as Mahomet did in Arabia. His arrest and imprisonment will only rouse his followers to a greater phrenzy, as Mahomet's flight from Mecca to Medina did. Wait and see the news from the West.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS. -- The Mormonites are holding meetings and making converts in the upper part of New Castle county, Delaware. It is said that their preachers are eloquent.

---

... a man and a woman... vending an obscene sort of amalgamation periodical, called the "Battle Axe,"... showing the opinions and views of the editor, Theophilus R. Gates... astounding avowals of these new religionists, these latter day saints...

Note: Clipping damaged -- full text not recoverable.

The Battle Axe not Mormons.

Mr. James Gordon Bennett: --
  Sir: --

In your Herald of this morning, the term "Latter Day Saints," is applied to certain persons who are engaged in circulating a publication called "The Battle Axe." You are probably aware that the proper name of the Society of people sometimes called "Mormons," is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

People not well acquainted with the facts in the case, might suppose the "Church of Latter Day Saints" was alluded to in the article above mentioned.

Entertaining principles altogether different from those expressed in the "Battle Axe," the "Church of Latter Day Saints," or "Mormons," do not wish to rest under the imputation which seems to be conveyed in this morning's "Herald."

Will you have the goodness to state that the term "Latter Day Saints," in the article alluded to, was used without the slightest reference to the "Mormons," or "Church of Latter Day Saints," and much oblige.
        Your most obedient servant,
                Lucian R. Foster,
                        257 Pearl street.


Note 1: Elder Lucian Rose Foster was a Mormon missionary assigned to New York. His relationship to Dr. Foster and the other dissenting Mormon Fosters at Nauvoo, three years later, is uncertain.

Note 2: Elder Foster's primary purpose in writing the editor was probably just to get the name of the Mormons before the public, in as many ways as was possible. His objection to the "latter days saints" being associated with the advocates of the Battle Axe was that the periodical openly advocated something like adultery or bigamy. Had the private lives of such LDS Apostles as Brigham Young and Parley P. Pratt then been publicized in detail, the readers of the Herald might have concluded that the top Mormon leaders were just as adulterous and polygamous as any alternative lifestyle championed by the Battle Axe.

The Ruins of Palenque -- from Stephen's
New Work on Central America.

... The ruins, it will be remembered were discovered in 1750. In 1786 the King of Spain ordered Capt. del Rio to explore them. He arrived at the ruins May 5th, 1787. His reports and drawings were deposited in the archives of Guatemala, and never released till 1822.

While the report and drawings of Del Rio slept in the archives of Guatemala, Charles the 4th of Spain, ordered another expedition, at the head of which was placed Captain Dupaix... His expeditions were made in 1805, 1806, and 1807, the last of which was to Palenque... the work of Dupaix was not published until 1834-'5... in Paris... Lord Kingsborough's ponderous tomes, so far as regards Palenque, are a mere reprint of Dupaix...


Note 1: The above extract is but a snippet from a long, illustrated report on Stephens' and Catherwood's exploration of the Mayan ruins. The Herald ran a series of these interesting reports during the summer of 1841. The LDS Times and Seasons of June 5, 1841 contains a reprint from one of these Herald articles, under the prophetic title: "American Antiquities -- More Proofs of the Book of Mormon." At the time the reprint appeared, the Mormon newspaper was being issued under the editorial supervision of a brother of Joseph Smith, jr., and there is every reason to believe that the Mormon prophet approved the publication of the conclusion that the Mayan ruins were artifacts of the once great Nephite civilization.

Note 2: John L. Sorenson says, in his article "The Book of Mormon as a Mesoamerican Record," that Stephens' exploration account first "came into the possession of Church leaders in Nauvoo in 1842," and that it "constituted the first body of information of any substance from which they, together with most people in the English-speaking world, could learn about some of the most spectacular ruins in Mesoamerica." Sorenson also says: "Enthusiastic comments published at Nauvoo showed that the Church's leaders, including Joseph Smith, were immensely stimulated by the new information. Within a few weeks of the first notice, they announced they had just discovered, by reading Stephens's book, that the Nephites' prime homeland must have been in Central, not South, America." For this statement, see the Times and Seasons of Sept. 15, 1842, where the editor states: "Mr. Stephens' great developments of antiquities are made bare to the eyes of all the people by reading the history of the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. They lived about the narrow neck of land, which now embraces Central America, with all the cities that can be found... Who could have dreamed that twelve years would have developed such incontrovertible testimony to the Book of Mormon?" The Mormon newspaper was, at this time, being issued under the direct editorial supervision of Joseph Smith, jr., and it clearly was his pronouncement -- that Mayan ruins were "incontrovertible testimony" of the alleged ancient Nephite civilization.

Note 3: Elder Sorenson's claims are not quite correct -- some of Stephens' accounts of ancient ruins were published as early as 1839 -- the Mormons in America first read copious extracts from Stephens in 1841, not 1842. And one of those extracts, from the July 22, 1841 Herald clearly points out the early reports of such Spanish explorers as Del Rio (published in 1822) and Dupaix (published in 1834). The Del Rio report was widely distributed in the United States, in 1833-34, when it was featured in the pages of the popular Family Magazine. The Mormon elite of 1834 could not have been ignorant of this widespread reprinting. The more intriguing question is, whether or not some of those same leaders had encountered Del Rio's account of the Palenque ruins years before the Book of Mormon was first put through the press. The impending English publication of this antique description of Mayan ruins was announced in the newspapers of western New York in 1822. In 1824 John V. Yates and Joseph W. Moulton published their History of the State of New York and made prominent mention of ancient Mexican civilizations (referencing the 1822 translation of Del Rio), on pp. 73-77. Copies of the Yates and Moulton history were almost certainly sold in and around Palmyra, New York, in the years between 1824 and 1830. Also in 1824, William Bullock published his Six Months Residence and Travels in Mexico in London, in which he described the Del Rio report on page 331. In 1824 Bullock held a grand exhibition of Mexican antiquities at the Egyptian Hall in London's Picadilly; there he displayed 52 different items (many of them precious pieces of pre-Columbian art and writing). The event was reported in the newspapers as far away as New York. In 1825, on pp. 165-70 of Vol. 7 of the Museum of Foreign Literature and Science, an article was featured on the antiquities of Mexico and Egypt, wherein the Del Rio account was cited. Probably there were numerous other summaries and extracts of this information, readily available to curious readers in western New York, well before 1830. Elder Sorenson does not pay much attention to these very early sources in his apologetic writings, however.

Important  from  the  Mormon  Country --
Progress  of  Religious  Enthusiasm.

One of the most important movements of the present mysterious and wonderful century is, that of religious enthusiasm and religious intellect. Whether we look to the east or to the west -- to the south or to the north, this striking feature stands out like a bright meteor from the lofty cliffs and craigs of heaven and eternity.

All the various sects of Christianity are in the midst of an original agitation. The Unitarians, the Methodists, the Catholics, the Presbyterians, all feel the impulses of the age, as if it were a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit come down from heaven to irradiate the darkness of this world, as the forked lightning bursts forth from the boso, of the black cloud, and flashes a brief existence on the landscape below.

Among the many interesting movements of the day, that of the Mormons in the far west is perhaps the most original and philosophical.

The movement of Joe Smith, in Illinois, has some marks of resemblance to that made on Grand Island, in September, 1825, by Mordecai Manasseh Noah, a full account of which, with his celebrated Proclamation, we shall give in a few days, as a part of the curious religious history of the present age. But although these movements bear a resemblance to one another, particularly in creating a sort of imperium in imperio in the midst of society, yet the authors are very different and distinct personages. Joe Smith, as well as Noah, indicated the possession of that ambition that seeks to originate a new religious movement, combined with the building up of towns, and selling lots; but Joe Smith has shown himself far superior to his holy cotemporary in energy, faith in his own opinions, and practical good sense. If Noah's project has the priority in point of time, Joe's has the merit of being conducted with more talent and vigor. Noah, it seemed, wanted the peculiar force of mind necessary to constitute a true Prophet -- a second Moses -- or a successful Joshua. On the contrary, Joe Smith, throughut his whole history, from his first appearance in Manchester, N. Y., to this day, has exhibited the rare and extraordinary qualifications which characterises one of the great prophets, reformers, or revolutionists of an age.

It is curious, however, to remark how these original beings who, under Heaven, are the reformers of the age, always combine practical purposes with religious enthusiasm. Under the mantel of the religious movement in Grand Island, in 1825, the project of laying out a number of acres into building lots, and selling them at a fair and pious profit for creating a town, was first originated in New York. The same feature has marked the movement of Joe Smith in the Far West -- but Smith, in conquence of a higher order of faith, and yalent, more adapted to the purpose, has succeeded in inducing converts to fall into his views -- while the Hebrews of both hemispheres looked very coldly upon the religious as well as earthly mission of Noah, at Grand Island.

With these remarks we annex the following curious intelligence from the city of Nauvoo, received by yesterday's mails: --

(From the Times and Seasons.)

THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD.

(see the original article for text)


THE MORMONS -- ARREST OF JO SMITH.

(see the original article for text)


Dialogue On Mormonism

(see the original article for text)

Note 1: The above article and extracts were first published in the daily Herald of Aug. 3, before being reproduced in the weekly edition.

Note 2: The modern reader can only imagine what the reaction of M. M. Noah was, upon his reading of Bennett's editorial remarks, comparing him to the Mormon leader. In 1841 Major Noah's view of Joseph Smith was probably about as antipathetic and was Bennett's opinion of Noah. All of which is made even more ironic by the fact that, in 1831, Noah had employed Bennett to go to western New York to write a series of investigative reports, one of which had as its subject the origin and rise of the Mormonites. When Bennett spoke of Mormonism's "first appearance at Manchester," it was with some personal knowledge.

Note 3: James G. Bennett was not the first newspaper editor to recognize the parallels between Joseph Smith's Mormon "gathering of Israel" and Major Noah's proposed gathering of Jews and "Israelite" American Indians at a "New Jerusalem" on Grand Island. In March, 1831 David S. Burnet published, in his Dayton Evangelical Inquirer, this description of Joseph Smith's early money-digging following: "For a long time in the vicinity of Palmyra, there has existed an impression, especially among certain loose classes of society, that treasures of great amount were concealed near the surface of the earth, probably by the Indians, whom they were taught to consider the descendants of the ten lost Israelitish tribes, by the celebrated Jew who a few years since promised to gather Abraham's sons on Grand Island, thus to be made a Paradise."

Highly Important from the Far West --
Progress of the Mormons -- Joe Smith in his Glory. --
The Devil and the Unbelievers at Work -- No go, however

We have received a mass of intelligence from the Far West -- from the seat of the new Mormon empire, that is to overspread all the prairies one of these days.

The annexed articles are principally from the organs of the anti-Mormons -- but the revilings of an enemy will as clearly show the progress of a new religion, as the blessings of its friends. Joe Smith has as much a right to start a new revelation as the Universalists or the Unitarians -- Judge Noah or Matthias; and his creed seems to have much greater influence on the minds of believers. It seems to be certain that Mormonism is spreading rapidly in the west -- and that, from their peculiar habits, they are prepared to resist aggression, wherever it comes from.

(From the Warsaw Signal, July 21.)

MORMON VISITERS.

(see the original article for text)


BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD.

(see the original article for text)


ANTI-MORMON LECTURES.

(see the original article for text)


TEMPERANCE AMONG THE MORMONS.

(see the original article for text)


THE MORMON SETTLEMENT.

(see the original article for text)


ORIGIN AND HISTORY.

(see the original article for text)

Note: The final sentences of the last reprinted article from the Warsaw Signal, read thusly: "I heard no more of this matter till I learned the Book of Mormon was about being published. It was not till after the discovery of the manuscript of Spaulding, of which I shall subsequently give some account, that the actors in this imposture thought of calling the pretended revelation the Book of Mormon. This book, which professed to be a translation of the golden Bible brought to light by Joseph Smith was published in 1830 -- to accomplish which Martin Harris actually mortgaged his farm."

THE PROPHETS ALL ALIVE. -- All the modern prophets are still alive and kicking -- Joe Smith -- Mathias -- Noah -- and the others.

Note: This is but one of many editorial comments in which Bennett gleefully associates his rival New York editor, Major M. M. Noah, with "prophets" then generally viewed as religious charlatans. Probably Major Noah took some notice of Bennett's continual sarcasm along these lines, and made some replies in his own paper's columns -- if so, Noah's replies to Bennett have yet to be discovered.

A New Religion -- A Female Apostle --
The Millennium Approaching.

The Mormons will not be permitted to monopolize the world of the spirit -- neither will the prophet of Grand Island have every thing his own way, although he may have the old clo'.

A few days ago, a very fine, portly looking, middle aged, female apostle, blessed with a large infusion of the spirit, arrived in this city from Wakefield, with the glorious news that the Millennium is near at hand, and a great revolution of the earth and its inhabitants is at our very doors...

There is no doubt but Mary Bishop is a true believer, an apostle, a prophetess, and a preacher of great ability and eloquence. She will make quite a sensation in these latter days, and will be able to establish a church in New York in a short time, that will beat the Mormons all hollow. She has far more good sense than either Prophet Joe Smith or Judge Noah...


Note: Yet another article in which James G. Bennett mirthfully couples the name of his rival New York editor, Major M. M. Noah, with that of the Mormon prophet. Bennett's reference to the old clo probably refers to the scarlet mantel that Major Noah donned in 1825, when he assumed the lofty position of "Judge of Israel" near Grand Island in western New York.

Highly Important from the Far West --
Progress of the Mormons.

We have just received interesting intelligence from Nauvoo, Illinois, on the Mississippi, the picturesque seat of the new religious empire of the Mormons, Joe Smith, prophet, king, priest, captain and chief cook.

The principal events since our last accounts, are the return of the twelve apostles of the Mormons -- the rapid progress in the temple of God -- the growth of the new holy land -- the piety of Joe Smith -- and the beauty of their women. Ib our opinion Joe Smith is one of the ablest prophets of the age. His practical talents are equal to his prophetic views -- and on this point he has the advantage of Prophet Noah, who fell through at Grand Island. We are in favor of Joe -- we are in favor of all religious movements. About every religious movement, there is something moral, generous, and enthusiastic. -- They all partake, more or less, of the spirit of God -- and we say "good luck to them."

(From the Times and Seasons, August 2.)

THE TWELVE.

(see the original article for text)


WAR! WAR! AND RUMORS OF WAR!

(see the original article for text)


An Address of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

(see the original article for text)

---

Important Religious Movement among the Jews.

We have received from Philadelphia several documents and circulars issued by the pious Jews of that city, developing one of the most important movements among the "ancient people of God" which has been attempted in many centuries.

It is no less than a novel and curious plan "for establishing a religious Union among the Israelites of America." In 1825, Mordecai Manuel Noah attempted to form a union at Grand Island, but his project fell to the ground, on account of want of talent and genius in the projector. That proposed by Noah was a sort of agricultural union on Grand Island, contingencies which were very convenient for smuggling purposes from Canada. Noah mixed with his project some religious features, and assumed the character and power of a prophet, priest and judge, but he did not command many converts.

The present project is altogether different in character... [letter signed by seven promninent Philadelphia Jews follows]

... The Jews in America, as a body, are very ignorant of the Scriptures and of course, of their own religion. That a powerful effect will now be made to regain the heretics, and so keep those who are still with them in the fold, there can be no doubt. The general wish among the Jews in this city, and also in Philadelphia, is that Mr. Noah be not appointed to any office in this business. This, no doubt, arises partly from his Grand Island exhibitions and abortions...


Note 1: The editor of the Herald happily prints these comments, as part of the text of the second article: "We dont know but that ere this, our friend Bennett of the New York Herald has established an express line from this city to New York to give the latest news of the proceedings of the Mormons to his immence number of subscribers, and herald forth to the world the monstrous proceedings of Jo Smith and the Mormons.... To all such magnanimous individuals we would say, come and pay us a visit; and if our friend of the N. Y. Herald is not dead to sensibility and honor, let him come too, and we will give them correct information on the subject."

Note 2: Editor Bennett, who displayed some continuing interest in both the Jews and the Mormons, probably found these words, in the third article, to be of particular interest: "As to the signs of the times, we believe that the gathering of Israel and the second advent of Messiah, with all the great events connected therewith, are near at hand. That it is time for the saints to gather together and prepare for the same. But we disclaim all fellowship with the predictions of the Rev. Mr. Miller, Rev. Joseph Wolff, and others-such as, that the Lord will come in 1840, 1841, 1843, 1847, and so on. We do not believe that he will come until the Jews gather to Palestine and rebuild their city."

Signs in the Heavens -- Religious Agitations --
Jo Smith, M. M. Noah and the Lesser Prophets.

The heavens are full of signs, and the earth is covered with wonders. The intelligence which we are daily receiving from every section of this mighty republic, developing the religious movements of the age, possess a character, a tone, a spirit, a light, a miraculousness, a frequency that indicate the approach of some great and wonderful revelation, or volcanic reuption of the spirit. The Mormons in Illinois, as well as the Unitarians in Boston, are waked up from the inmost recesses of the heart...

All these arise from some great and signal purpose of Divine Providence -- and must in time lead to some remarkable result in morals and society.

Even the very individuals who seem to be the leaders, or instruments of these manifestations, seem to be ignorant of the very important part they play. Neither Jo Smith, nor John Maffit, nor Dr. Channing, nor M. M. Noah, seem to be aware of the great, grand, and glorious result to which their pious labors are tending. It is another curious feature in the religious history of the age, that all these movements originated much abut the same time, with the exception of the remarkable mission of M. M. Noah, which was admirably designed and vegun, but was opened rather a day after the fair.

The following are the records of the first extraordinary religious popular movement, which have marked the present centry: --

(From the Evening Post of September 20, 1825.)

Interesting News.

                                                                Buffalo, 14th Sept., 1825,
                                                                9 o'clock, Wednesday Evening.
All Buffalo is alive for the ceremonies to-morrow. The Jewish Government is revived, under the protection of the American Constitution. Noah is named Governor and Judge of Israel. The Military and Masonic procession will take place in this village, and the ceremonies in St. Paul's Church. The town is filled with Indians -- Red Jacket will be here. {He was then drunk as a piper.} The Grand Standard is to be hoisted at Arrarat to-morrow, and the people are pouring in from all quarters. The documents I will send you by next mail.


                                                                Thursday, Sept. 15th.
Enclosed are the documents which I promised you yesterday.

(see the original Buffalo paper's article for text)

This religious revelation, so well arranged, did not succeed at the time, because it was rather too early in the field, and because the Jews are a stiff-necked people, and want faith. But if Mr. Noah had persisted in his purposes -- exhibited the enthusiasm and devotion of Jo Smith -- of Margaret Bishop -- we have not the slightest doubt but he would become a much better prophet and Judge in Israel, than a political editor, or a Christian Judge. Every great genius in religious movements must possess unbounded faith in himself -- irrepressible enthusiasm in his pursuit -- and great energy in effort. Mr. Noah was too soon discouraged, and accordingly Jo Smith, with less general knowledge, but more moral courage, started on a like plan, a few years afterwards, in Canandaigua, and originated the great Mormon movement, which bids fair to be the most prosperous that ever arose towards the setting of the sun. But there is no reason why the Book of Jashar should not beat the Book of Mormon out of the field, and in the movement recently made in Philadelphia, by a new religious union, among the ancient people of God, we trust that Hebrews of this city will appoint Mr. Noah their delegate, and thus give him an opportunity to overtake the great Mormon prophet, or at least catch up to the apron strings of Margaret Bishop, and hold on fast during the race for immortality...


Note: Bennett's reference to the "Book of Jashar" makes fun of one of Major. M. M. Noah's publishing projects. He was instrumental in having the ancient Book of Jashur printed in America, in English. The book bore little resemblance to the LDS Book of Mormon, but it soon captured the interest of the Mormons and has been kept in print, by Utah publishers, ever since Noah sponsored the publication of its first English edition.

MARCH  OF  MORMONISM.

Intelligence from the city of Nauvoo, out west, showing the march of Mormonism. It appears that the western atmosphere is favorable to Joe Smith and his Disciples...

(Sept.15, 1841 "Church and its Prospects" article
From the Nauvoo Times & Seasons -- under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

HIGHLY  IMPORTANT  RELIGIOUS  INTELLIGENCE.

FROM THE FAR WEST -- PROGRESS OF THE MORMON EMPIRE
ON THE BANKS OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI.

 

(Oct.12, 1841 "Epistle of the 12" Times & Seasons article-- under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

Highly Important from the Mormon Country on the Mississippi
Progress of the Latter Day Saints -- The New Revelation going ahead.

On Sunday we received highly important dispatches from our correspondent, who resides in Nauvoo, the chief city of the Mormons on the Mississippi -- called by the Latter Day Saints the beautiful city of God.

This intelligence is of a most interesting and curious character.

The Mormons, under the guidance of their great prophet and seer, the famous Joe Smith, are organizing a religious empire in the far west that will astonish the world in these latter days. Civil, religious, military, judicial, social, moral, advertising, commercial organization, are all embraced within the compregensiveness of their new system -- or their new revelation fresh from God himself, in their own enthusiastic language. The astonishing mixture of worldly prudence and religious enthusiasm -- of perfect system and wild imagination -- of civilized reason with ancient ideas -- of religious observance and military organization, is without a parallel in the history of nations since the time of Mahomet. The model of Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet seems to be the great Jewish legislator, Moses. Both combined religion, political, moral, and social institutions in one mass of legislation and empire. The Saviour of the world and his disciples separated these awful elements of despotism, and gave to religion, a separate, distinct, intellectual, etherial moral impulse of its own, fit to promote happiness here and beattitude hereafter. The corruptions of the church, in the time of Constantine the Great, united all these, under the general name of Councils. This baneful combination produced the awful and despotic Roman Hierarchy, till the majestic genius of Luther, like another apostle Paul, rose up and separated the elements again and re-established the principles of Jesus of Nazareth.

The numerous sects -- the contrariety of opinions -- the corruption of the times, have increased to such a degree, that every now and then the master-spirits in religion are rising up every where, and attempting to unite the same elements that the Roman Emoire did -- and to frame an empire that can be controlled by religious opinions alone. Such is the policy of the Right Reverend Bishop Hughes of this city -- and such is the direction which his holiness, Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Latter Day Saints, gives, on their beautiful banks of the Mississippi. This country -- this singularly constituted republic is the field for these isolated and wonderful efforts of religious genius and religious ambition.

The revelation, or the development, or the system of the Mormons, is the most original of the present age. It is far more adapted to the present century -- and to modern civilization, than the Romish system. It combines simplicity -- good sense -- belief in any quantity -- love -- morals -- energy -- industry -- liberty of the press -- moderation -- singleness of purpose -- enthusiasm -- devotion -- temperance -- imagination -- in one vast and massive system of civilization. Their progress corresponds with their principles. In two years, the Holy City of God, Nauvoo, has risen from a few houses, to possess 10,000 souls, besides much cattle, all animated by the same spirit -- believing the same faith -- obeying the same moral rules -- and combined in the same great purpose of regenerating the race of man on earth. They believe that they possess a direct revelation from heaven -- and who can gainsay them? Who can say that [th----- best]? Has not Joe Smith as good a right to be considered the vicegerant of God, as the Pope of Rome?

With these remarks, read the following curious intelligence, shewing the progress of this new religious, moral, and social empire, that must one day, control the whole valley of the Mississippi, from the peaks of the Alleghanies to the pinnacles of the Rocky Mountains.

---

(excerpts from the Nauvoo Times & Seasons follow, including:)

Epistle of the Twelve

D&C Appendix C

---

==> TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. -- I have appointed Willard Richards Recorder for the Temple, who will receive all property devoted to the building of the Temple and enter the same, at the Recorder's office in the lower room of the new store.
                                JOSEPH SMITH, Trustee in Trust.
Nauvoo, Dec. 15th

---

==> HEBREW AND GERMAN A. NEIBAUR. -- Surgeon Dentist, (a German Jew,) will give instruction in the above Languages during the winter season. Residence S. E. Water St. opposite the coopers [in Nauvoo].


Note: It should not be concluded, from reading the above editorial, that James G. Bennett was a convert to Mormonism. Neither did he support the great experiment going on at Nauvoo unconditionally. Editor Bennett was a cultural Catholic who enjoyed occassionally antagonizing officials of his Mother Church with tidbits published in his paper. He was genuinely fascinated with the development of Mormonism in the far west and gave that contemporary subject disproportionate space and position in the columns of the Herald, but not without adding in a journalistic rap across the saintly knuckles now and then. For more on this odd phenomenon see Don C. Seitz's "Mormons and Catholics," which was published as Chapter 4 in his 1928 book, The James Gordon Bennetts.

It may not be uninteresting to you to have a few lines from your correspondent in Zion -- the city of the Saints -- the "nucleus of a western empire." In this communication I purpose giving you a description of the first presidency of the Mormon hierarchy, which consists of four dignitaries, to wit, a principal prophet, a patriarch, and two councillors.

Joseph Smith, the president of the church, prophet, seer, and revelator, is thirty-six years of age, six feet high in his pumps, weighing two hundred and twelve pounds. He is a man of the highest talent and great independence of character, firm in his integrity, and devoted to his religion; in one word he is a per se, as President Tyler would say; as a public speaker, he is bold, powerful, and convincing, possessing both the suaviter in modo and the fortiter in re; as a leader, wise and prudent, yet fearless; as a military commander, brave and determined; as a citizen, worthy, affable, and kind; bland in his manners, and of noble bearing. His amiable lady, too, the Electa Cyria, is a woman of superior intellect and exemplary piety; in every respect suited to her situation in society, as the wife of one of the most accomplished and powerful chiefs of the age.

Hyrum Smith, the patriarch of the church and brother of Joseph, is forty-two years of age, five feet eleven and a half inches high, weighing one hundred and ninety-three pounds. He, too, is a prophet, seer, and revelator, and is one of the most pious and devout Christians in the world. He is a man of great wisdom and superior excellence, possessing great energy of character, and originality of thought.

Sidney Rigdon, one of the councillors, prophet, seer, and revelator, is forty-two years of age, five feet nine and a half inches high, weighing one hundred and sixty-five pounds; his former weight, reduced by sickness produced by the Missouri prosecution: was two hundred and twelve pounds. He is a mighty man in Israel, of varied learning, and extensive and laborious research. There is no divine in the West more learned in Biblical literature and the history of the world than he: an eloquent orator, chaste in his language, and conclusive in his reasoning; any city would be proud of such a man. By his proclamation, thousands on thousands have heard the glad tidings and obeyed the word of God; but he is now in the "sear and yellow leaf," and his silvery locks fast ripening for the grave.

William Law, the other councillor, is thirty-two years of age, five feet eight and a half inches high, weighing one hundred and seventy-five pounds. He is a great logician and profound reasoner; of correct business habits, and great devotion to the service of God. No man could be better fitted to his station -- wise, discreet, just, prudent -- a man of great suavity of manners and amiability of character.

All these men are Boanerges of the church, thundering in the western forests, and hurling arguments and reasons against the sectaries of the age, like the thunderbolts of Jupiter. Their wives and children present, likewise, a pleasing spectacle of intellect, goodness, hospitality, and kindness seldom witnessed.
                                                     Veritas.


Note: "Veritas" was evidently James Arlington Bennet, then visiting Nauvoo.

The Mormons -- A Leaf from Joe Smith.

We give in this day's paper, a very curious chapter from the "Book of Abraham," which we find published in the last number of a weekly journal, called the "Times and Seasons," conducted by Joseph Smith the great Mormon Prophet, in the city of Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois.

The prophet says that it was found in the catacombs of Egypt, but he is mistaken in this idea. The article was discovered, we presume by Joseph Smith, the grandfather, near one of the propylons of Medinet Abu, in the "City of the Sun," in upper Egypt the same city which Homer says had one hundred gates. Champollion, Young, Rosselini, and various other antiquarians give notices of the magnificent ruins, in red granite, that are strewn over the banks of the Nile. Be all this as it may, the Prophet of Nauvoo has given the chapter, and it is set down as a revelation among the Mormons.

This Joe Smith is undoubtedly one of the greatest characters of the age. He indicates as much talent, originality, and moral courage as Mahomet, Odin, or any of the great spirits that have hitherto produced the revolutions of past ages. In the present infidel, irreligious, ideal, geological, animal-magnetic age of the world, some such singular prophet as Joe Smith is required to preserve the principle of faith, and to plant some new germs of civilization that may come to maturity in a thousand years. While modern philosophy, which believes in nothing but what you can touch, is overspreading the Atlantic States, Joe Smith is creating a spiritual system, combined also with morals and industry, that may change the destiny of the race. Joe believes himself divinely inspired and worker of miracles. He cures the sick of diseases -- so it is said: -- and although Joe is not aware of the fact, we have been informed by a medical man that his influence over nervous disorders, arises from a powerful magnetic influence -- that Joe is a magnet in a large way, which he calls a power or spirit from heaven. In other respects Joe is a mighty man of God -- possessing large stores of human nature -- great shrewdness, and as he has taken the management of the Mormon newspaper organ, the "Times and Seasons" into his hand, we look for many revelations, and some curious one too, pretty soon.

We certainly want some such prophet to start up, take a big hold of the public mind and stop the torrent of materialism that is hurrying the world into infidelity, immorality, licentiousness, and crime. -- Professor Lyel, Richard Adams Locke, Dr. Brisbane, Master Emmerson, Prophet Brownson, Horace Greely, and all the materialists of the age, ought to take a leaf of common sense out of Joe's book.

[The Times & Seasons cut is accompanied by an excrpt from the Book of Abraham.]

(For text see the original publication in the Times & Seasons

Note: The weekly edition of the Herald, published that same Sunday, also carried the Book of Abraham excerpt, along with this editorial remark: "Joe Smith, in his last "Times and Seasons," gives us another slice of the "Book of Abraham," embracing a synopsis of his geology and astronomy, illustrated with a curious map of the Mormon Solar System. Joe also gives his readers a bit of his auto-biography -- quite rich it is, too."

THE MORMON MOVEMENT. -- Nearly two hundred more Mormons, very respectable looking saints, arrived at New Orleans recently, on their way to Nauvoo, the head quarters of Joe Smith and the Mormons. The prophet is adding to his religious empire every day -- and who can set bounds to it? He is president, priest, and prophet, and whenever he is in a difficulty, he says that he has a direct revelation from heaven, that settles the point at once.


Notes: (forthcoming)

PROGRESS OF MORMONISM IN BOSTON. -- The Rev. Freeman Nickerson, one of the Mormon Apostles, gives the following summary of the progress of the new revelation "down east:" --

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 Magin 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.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Post-Office, Nauvoo, Illinois, April 23, 1842.     

Sir, --

A letter has appeared in the New York Herald, giving a description of certain individuals in this city, I take the liberty of addressing this letter to you, that I may answer my part and show my opinion. The subject of this address is General J. C. Bennett. General Bennett is five feet five inches high, one hundred and forty-two pounds' weight, and thirty-seven years of age. He is at once Major-General in the Nauvoo Legion, Quarter-Master-General of the State, Mayor of the City of Nauvoo, and Master in Chancery for the County of Hancock. He is a Physician of great celebrity, and a successful practitioner; of great versatility of talent; of refined education, and accomplished manners; discharges the duties of his respective offices with honor to himself, and credit to the people. He possesses much decision of character; honorable in his intercourse with his fellows, and a most agreeable companion; possessing much vivacity and animation of spirit, and every way qualified to be a useful citizen, in this or any other city.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
                                                 SIDNEY RIGDON, Post Master.
J. A. Bennett, Esq.

(under construction)

Note 1: The above extract was copied from John C. Bennett's History of the Saints, p. 40. That book says that the letter was written from "Sidney Rigdon, Esq., Attorney at Law," to "Major-Gen. James Arlington Bennet, LL. D., of Arlington House, L. I." The description of John C. Bennett was made, obviously, prior to his expulsion from the Mormon ranks later in 1842.

INTELLIGENCE FROM THE CITY OF GOD. -- We have received some authentic and late intelligence from the "City of God" -- alias "the city of Nauvoo" -- alias the "State of the faithful" -- alias the center of the Mormon empire, now creating by Joe Smith, on the beautiful banks of the Missouri.

The annexed letter will speak for itself. It appears that the new faith is highly prosperous, and that the "Latter-day Saints" are doing a flourishing business in religion, morals, agriculture, mechanics, population, civilization and all the other "ations." The Mormons have practical sense in all worldly affairs. This is the reason that they succeed better than many of the recent sects in religion and philosophy. Joe Smith digs his own potatoes -- large fellow -- ten in a hill, and two small ones for seed. Here is the great secret. When the Fourierites, and all the squash philosophers, can do the same, then they may be permitted to rank among the master-spirits of the age.

                  CITY OF NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, April 23, 1842.
JAMES G. BENNETT, Esq. --

      Sir, --
It is some time since you have heard from your correspondent in Zion. I have refrained from writing with a view of meeting you on the threshhold of your new establishment, which I am assured by a friend from New York will exceed, in point of material and organization, anything of the kind on this continent, or perhaps in the world. The energy, talent, and enterprise of the Bennetts are now becoming a common subject of remark in this quarter, and the Herald, as your subscription list shows, is now getting as common among our people as it is in Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Our City, University and Military Legion, are all chartered by an act of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, and placed on the most liberal footing with the most enlarged privileges. Our University has a Chancellor, viz. Major-General John C. Bennett, who is also Mayor of the city. He is a gentleman of high military talent and profound erudition. There are, if I am not mistaken, twenty-four regents, and most of the chairs are filled with professors of the first talent in the country. This, you will perceive, is going ahead on your own principles.

Three years ago our city contained but about three hundred persons -- it now numbers upwards of seven thousand, and in less than five years will have a population of twenty thousand souls.

The land in the vicinity is an extremely rich undulating prairie, calculated to make the finest farms in the world; the climate is healthy, and the situation a very paradise.

Our legion is composed of about fifteen hundred of as good soldiers as the State or the United States can call into the field, and officered with men who know their duty, and who will, in defence of their country, and their firesides, fight to the hilt; while at the same time, our whole society, in their civil, moral, and religious deportment, under the auspices of Joseph, the great Prophet of the "Latter Day Saints," are as amiable, as kind, as charitable (including the ladies), as the Christian religion is calculated to make mortals here below.

It is astonishing why young farmers, who are compelled to get a scanty laborious living from ground they are compelled constantly to manure, do not sell off to come out to this Garden of Eden -- this Zion of the Lord.

On Zion's shore doth hope and virtue dwell.
Peace to the righteous that no tongue can tell,
Reject the chains that long have kept you bound;
Enter our sanctum Nauvoo's holy ground. There are some honors intended you from this quarter, which I shall advise you of in due time. We know you are our friend; you have proved yourself so, and we should be delighted to have you become one of the faithful. Our people hold you in the highest estimation, and you must know that your humble servant is not in this particular behind the rest.
              Most respectfully yours, &c.
                           CINCINATUS.


Note: In his Aug. 16, 1842 letter to Joseph Smith, Jr., James Arlington Bennett says: "You have nothing to expect from that part of the community who are bigotedly attached to other churches... and what General John C. Bennett is now saying in the papers is nothing more than what was common report before, throughout this whole community, insomuch that I had to contradict it in the Herald under the signature of "Cincinnatus" -- and even requested the Elders of the Mormon Church to do so long ago...." The possible confusion of any modern reader, in attempting to keep the personalities of James Arlington Bennett, John C. Bennett, and James G. Bennett separate in the reading such reports from 1842 is entirely understandable.

==> LATTER-DAY SAINTS OR MORMONS. -- They will hold their meetings at the Tivoli Saloon, corner of Varick and Charlton streets, on Sabbath, May the 8th, 1842. Elder Carter, from the West, will preach at half past ten, a. m. and three, p. m.; and Elder G. H. Adams having returned from England, will preach at half-past seven in the evening, on the subject of Zion. The Public are invited to attend.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS AND MESMERISM. -- Among the distinguished arrivals in this city last week, we have the celebrated Mous. L. de Bonneville, formerly Professor of French in Harvard College, since then Professor of Magnetism all over the country, an now and forever a great teacher and preacher, and a burning, shining light among the Mormons

This gentleman is an extraordinary man -- a perfect enthusiast in his science of Mesmerism -- he has followed it up with such intensity as to discover that Mormonism is the only true religion after all, according to his notions; and that by means of Mesmerism he has discovered the true Mormon mode of revelation, and the way in which Joe Smith receives his communications direct from Heaven....


Notes: (forthcoming)

The  Mormons

                                    Arlington House, May 8, 1842
DOCTOR BENNETT: --

       Sir: --
It is reported in this city and elsewhere, and generally believed by persons unfriendly to the Mormons, or "Latter Day Saints," that, like the shaking quakers, they hold their property in common stock, and that the men and women connect in promiscuous intercourse without any regard to the holy bonds of matrimony. Now I assure you, sir, that these are slanders put into the mouths of their enemies by the father of lies, the devil, having no foundation in truth.

1st. Property, real and personal, is held by individuals in the same way and with equal security as among all other citizens of this country.

2. There is no people on earth who are more circumspect in their behaviour, nor who hold the matrimonial tie in more sacred reverence than the Mormons or "Latter Day Saints."

3d. They are Christians in the fullest sense of the term, believing in the Old and New Testament as inspired books, revelations delivered on the Eastern Continent, and in the "Book of Mormon" as a collateral corroborative history, embracing an account of the aborigines, and the Ancient Church of Christ, that is said to have been established on this continent, at an early period of the Chrustian era. -- The Book of Mormon is not received by them as a separate and distinct revelation for the government of the human family, nor does the "Prophet Joseph" claim any other merit but the finding of it where it was deposited, nor does he claim even this, as both the finding and the translation have, it is asserted, have been the work of Divine Providence, from the direction of the holy spirit. Do not all the sects profess to be directed by the holy spirit!

[illegible lines]

No man can prove the negative. We therefore should not permit our prejudice to condemn what we may not be able to comprehend. We should judge the tree by its fruit.     CINCINNATUS.


Notes: (forthcoming)

A  HYMN.

BY JAMES ARLINGTON BENNETT, of Arlington House N. Y.

WRITTEN FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY.

Tune - "HAIL COLUMBIA.