REV.  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL.

This gentleman, who has rendered himself somewhat conspicuous, both by his debate with Robert Owen, at Cincinnari, Ohio, in defending Christianity from the attacks of a noted opponent of the Gospel, and by introducing a new sort of theology into the middle and western States, resides at Bethany, Va., and publishes a monthly periodical entitled, "The Millennial Harbinger." His system of theology is a peculiar system, about as unintelligible, visionary and untangible, as that of Emanuel Swedenborg. For as none can understand the system of Swedenborg except by the science of correspondences and the admission of a new and special revelation through him to the world, so none can understand or be benefitted by the transcendent glories of Campbellism, except by the doctrine of baptism and the admission of Mr. C.'s divine appointment "to restore the ancient order of things," (which by the bye proves to be an entirely new orderof things unknown to the primitive church,) making Christianity and salvation itself to consist in the rite of baptism. The latter, as was also the former, is a man of some talent and indenuity, and has something of a number of followers at the west. In a late number of the "Harbinger," Mr. C. was led to speak of Universalism, and like his Limitarian brethren in general, undertook to caricature the doctrine. Upon this caricature, the Editors of the "Sentinel and Star in the West," made some strictures, and offered Mr. C. the use of their columns to overthrow the doctrine of Universalism if he was able. He replied to the "Sentinel," that he would accept their offer, provided the Editors in their replies to him would abstain from all "scurility," &c. and yet, in the same article, makes use of no small share of that ingredient himself; and closes by saying he is "forthcoming" upon Universalism, to show that "it has no foundation in Scripture, nor in the reason and nature of things, and that its inevitable tendency is to Deism or something worse." ...

Should the discussion go on, we shall apprise our readers of its progress.     S.


Notes: (forthcoming)

CHANGES  OF  MORMONISM.

In a postscript to a letter recently received from Chagrin River, Ohio, the writer says:

"The Mormonites in this region have received a 'new revelation' which has been proclaimed through the medium of their seer, Jo. Smith, viz. -- 'that the whole human family will finally be brought to a knowledge of the truth and be saved.' They have in some instances gone to those on whom they had pronounced curses for their unbelief, and asked forgiveness -- proclaiming the new revelation, and stating that 'their want of charity for unbelievers originated from the same cause that misled the Jews in the days of our Saviour.'"   J. M. H.

In view of the above every friend of Universalism and well wisher to our cause, will be ready to excalim, "Good Lord deliver us from such accessions to our ranks as the Mormonites." They have hitherto attempted to honor Orthodoxy by teaching the doctrine of endless misery; we hope they will not now seek to disgrace Universalism by professing in the salvation of all men. We have this reflection, however, to console us, that if they embrace and teach Universalism they must renounce Mormonism and the pretended revelations they have received from Jo Smith, for this plain reason -- the Mormon Bible written by him teaches endless damnation in the most plan and unequivocal language; and of course, that revelation must be given up.     S.


Note: Probably the "new revelation" here referred to was the "vision" of Smith and Rigdon, as published in the Missouri Evening and Morning Star of July 1832. In their "vision" Smith and Rigdon purported to see that the afterlife was divided into three major realms -- the celestial, the terrestial and the telestial. Those believers who did not join the Mormonites still might hold out some hope of their eventual salvation in one of the two lesser spiritual realms. As the editor alludes, the 3-layers of heaven doctrine is not taught in the Book of Mormon, which is stridently anti-Universalist in its message.

FANATICISM.

... In the western part of this State a Baptist church, after going through revival operations, is turning Mormonite -- the next improvement we may expect them to make, will probably be into Skepticism.


Note: This news, from the Rochester area, was first reported by Abner Cole, who was never a friend to Joseph Smith nor to his Mormonite followers.

BENEVOLENCE  OF  DR.  ELY'S  PRAYERS.

Dr. Ely has lately taken a jaunt to Huntingdon and other places in the interior of Pennsylvania, to attend protracted meetings and see that all his subalterns are faithful and true. He passed through and stopped at Reading on his way. In a late number of the "Philadelphian" he gives us a sketch of his journey, and among other things describes a Mormon prophet now imposing on the ignorant and credulous part of the Reading community. He says this impostor pretends to predict future events, and declares that "when he can find two other persons as perfect as himself, he intends to raise the dead." After some further remarks on the absurdity and wickedness of his pretensions, the Doctor very charitably adds, "The Mormon prophet of Reading will have his day, and then will come his night. God grant that it may be the blackness of darkness forever!"...

This, however, is perfectly cinsistent with the principles of Calvinism, Dr. Ely, doubtless, believes that the misery of damnation in hell will add greatly to the glory of God and the happiness of the saints in heaven! and that he shall hereafter contemplate on the unspeakable and endless torments of this poor, miserable Mormon prophet with infinite pleasure!... Nor is it any easier reconciling his theory and prayer for the Mormon prophet's damnation, with the apostolic exhortion and sentiment, than with the Doctor's great anxiety for the conversion and salvation of sinners... Now Paul would have prayed for the enlightening and salvation of this deluded and benighted Mormonite; but Dr. Ely prays that "the blackness of darkness forever" may be his portion. What must be the feelings of that heart which can thus pray, and deliberately pen for publication such peititions to the Supreme?     S.


Note 1: The issue of the Rev. Dr. Ezra S. Ely's Philadelphian in which his anti-Mormon prayer was published has not yet been located for transcription. Ely was the orthodox Presbyterian champion of Sunday closings and the "Christian Party in politics." He lived long enough to see Joseph Smith, Jr.'s bid for the Presidency in 1844, and Brigham Young's attempt to create an independent nation out of Deseret, a few years later. Probably that was not the sort of religious voice "in politics" he had anticipated.

Note 2: The identity of the Mormon missionary holding forth in Reading during 1832 has not yet been determined. For a vacuous follow-up to this item, see the Evangelical Magazine of Jan. 5, 1833

BENEVOLENCE  OF  DR.  ELY'S  PRAYERS.

Our readers will recollect that we publishd an article a few weeks since, with the above caption, in which we noticed a certain prayer of the Doctor (as printed in the Philadelphian) concerning the Mormon prophet of Reading, Pa., beseeching God that his night might "be the blackness of darkness for ever." The Dr. has copied our article and comments on his prayer, and then appended the following

EXPLANATION

"Until the Editor read the above, he was wholly ignorant that he had made himself answerable for a very unchristian prayer. He intended to write from Harrisburg, "The Mormon prophet of Reading will have his day, and then will come his night: God grant that it may NOT be the blackness of darkness forever..."


Notes: (forthcoming)

"FREE  UNIVERSAL  MAGAZINE."

For six months past I have had in my possession, a book of 200 pages, entitled "The Free Universal Magazine, being a display of the mind of Jesus as manifested to his servants, the members of the New and Free Church." It was published quarterly for the space of one year, in numbers from 40 to 60 pages each, 12mo. The imprint of the first two numbers, is as follows: "New-York, printed by Louis Jones, No. 24 Smith-street for Rev. Abel Sargent, 1793." The third and fourth numbers were printed in Baltimore, for the same Editor.

Br. Whitmore, of the "Expositor," makes a mistake of 26 years, in supposing that the first Universalist periodical in the United States was commenced in Boston, in 1819. He of course knew not that the "Free Universal Magazine" was commenced June 7, 1793.

I have no doubt that Br. Sargent was the author of the queries which caused so much excitement at Hanover, Pa. many years ago -- an account of which was recently published by Br. Grosh, of the Utica Magazine, transferred to the Baltimore Pioneer, and noticed in an article in the "Expositor" to which I have referred. In the list of subscribers to Br. Sargent's work, I find that there were seven at "Hanover or McAllister's Town, Pa."

At the close of the volume before me, is a Proposal for a Second. It is therein stated that "the Editor, being now settled in the town of Baltimore, in the centre of intelligence, is at this time establishing an extensive correspondence with men of information, in divers parts of America and Europe," &c. I have been informed by Br. Timothy Banger, to whom the book in my possession belongs, that a second volume was not published.

In the second number of this "Magazine," I find the following article:

"A list of the Universal churches, within the Knowledge of the Editor, also of Universal Ministers.

"Churches in Jersey. -- Kingwood; ___Town; New-Hanover; Pitts Grove; Shilo, in Cumberland County; Cape May.

"Churches in Pennsylvania. New Britain; Philadelphia; Washington county, Pike Run; Cross Creek.

"Churches in Maryland. Eastern Shore of Maryland; Hartford county; George's Hills, Allegany.

"Churches in Virginia. Shenandoah; Morgan Town; Clerksburg (this church is very small, but it is likely to increase much, if there could be only a settled minister there, and there is one who expects before long, to settle and tarry here.)

"In New England, I have been informed, there are many.

"Also the same cause prospers much in London, through the instrumentality of Rev. Elhanan Winchester; and in Kentucky (I hear) through the instrumentality of Revs. Bailey and Holmes, formerly Baptist ministers.

UNIVERSAL MINISTERS.

"London. Elhanan Winchester; and some others, whom I hear are lately converted to the Faith.

"New England. John Murray, Mr. Richards, with several others, some of whom I hear wish to come to Jesus by Night.

"Eastern Shore of Maryland. Mr. Pollard and Mr. Hockins.

"Maryland. Richard Green, and one Methodist Minister, who thinks not proper to declare himself.

"Pennsylvania. David Evans, Mr. White, George Adam Martin, David Arnold, James Wallis, Mr. Bylew [sic - Ballou?].

"Kentucky. Mr. Bailey and others, of whom I have been credibly informed.

"Jersey. William Worth, Nicholas Cox, Artis Segrave, Mr. McIntire, Joseph Ayres, Abel Sargent."

I learn from the "Magazine," before me that "the representatives of sundary societies in the United States, believing in the Salvation of All Men," convened on the 25th of May, 1790, in the city of Philadelphia, by an invitation from the brethren in the said city, holding the same doctrine. -- William Worth was Moderator of the Convention, and Artis Seagrave, Clerk. Much business was transacted. The Convention met agreeably to adjournment, in Philadelphia, May 25, 1791; Nicholas Cox, Moderator, Artis Seagrave, Clerk. The Convention met again, in the same place, May 25, 1792; James Moore, Moderator, David Evans, Clerk. And again, May 25, 1793; David Evans Moderator, Wm. Worth, Clerk. The Convention adjourned "to meet in Philadelphia, the last Tuesday in October, 1794." As the publication of the "Free Universal Magazine" closed in March, 1794, we thence derive no farther information in relation to this Convention.   A. C. T.


Note 1: There seems to be some confusion over exactly which numbers of the Free Universal Magazine were published in New York City. The Maryland Archives possesses two issues of the first volume, which are there cataloged as #s 2 and 3. Probably these are actually #s 3 and 4. Copies of the Sept. 6, 1793 issue, published in New York City, still exist; perhaps some libraries have mistakenly cataloged this as #1 of the series. The true first issue of Rev. Able's paper appears to be a lost New York imprint from June 7, 1793. See also the episode entitled "The Halcyon Inspiration" in the on-line Spalding Saga.

Note 2: The two Universalist congregations above mentioned, for Washington Co., Pennsylvania, were located near Pike Run in the vicinity of Greenfield or Beallsvlle; and near Cross Creek, northwest of the town of Washington. Rev. Abel M. Sargent reportedly served briefly as a Universalist pastor for one of these congregations, prior to 1800. Perhaps his ministry was with the Pike Run congregation, for there were members of the Sargent family then living in the adjoining township of West Bethlehem in the vicinity of Zollarsville. Rev. Sargent's third wife, Mary Gardner, was evidently related to Dunkard Gardner family in that area. At that period Dunkards (German Baptist Brethren) and Universalists were very close in their respective theologies and occasionally shared pastors for preaching services, thus it is possible that Rev. Sargent then preached in the area between Amity and what is now the town of California, in southeast Washington County. The other Universalist congregation was a neighbor to the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, presided over by Rev. Joseph Patterson, Sr., the father of Rev. Robert Patterson -- the Pittsburgh minister, publisher and book-seller. Cross Creek is the first "hollow" north of Brush Run, where Alexander Campbell established the first of his "Reformed Baptist" congregations, in 1811.

Note 3: The 1793 list of Universalist congregations and ministers shows a church at "George's Hills, Allegany" Co., Maryland. This was the settlement of Cona, near Westernport. One record shows that, in 1786, the the Baptist Church in that place, professed "believers' baptism by immersion only, the laying on of hands, eternal unconditional election, and final perserverance," which may have held open some room for Universalism. Rev. Able M. Sargent's son Osborn was born in that settlement in 1789. By May of 1796 Rev. Sargent had moved his family back to the same area of Allegany Co., for his daughter Clarissa was born there in May of that year. The 1793 list also shows Universalist churches at "Morgan Town" and "Clerksburg," in Virginia. These towns lie directly west from Sargent's 1796 residence in Westernport, and are now Morgantown, Monongalia Co., West Virginia and Clarksburg, Harrison Co., in the same state. Rev. Sargent reportedly preached in these places during the late 1790s. Both towns are upstream on the Monongahela River, not far from southeastern Washington Co., Pennsylvania. Rev. Sargent's probable migration path, during 1798-99, was westward from Maryland, into the Monongahela River country, and then from there, westward again, to Cincinnati and the Ohio River borderlands.

REV.  ABEL  SARGENT.

We are happy in the opportunity of laying the following communication before the public, and hope it may be the means of eliciting further valuable information from Br. Sargent, the subject of the letter, both in relation to himself and the cause of Universalism in its early stages in those parts of the country where he labored. There are two facts developed in this letter, of which we were not before aware, viz. 1. That Br. Sargent was the first defender of the strict unity of God in America, and 2. that the first organized body of Universalists in Ohio, took to themselves and long bore the name of "Free Church." This is certainly not an inappropriate name. We received ten numbers of the "Lamp of Liberty," mentioned in this letter, and have them now in our possession; though we did not know by whom the work was edited, the name of the Editor not being appended to it. The EDitors of the Sentinel and Star will confer a favor by re-publishing this letter, and the article that elicited it; and we hope to hear more on the subject soon from Br. Sargent. The writer of this letter has our thanks for this favor. Our readers will learn who Br. Sweet is by refering to the Modern History of Universalism, p. 420.     S.

(For the Magazine and Advocate.)

Friend Grosh -- In the sixth number of the present volume of the "Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate," you have published an article from Br. Thomas, of Philadelphia, relative to a volume entitled "The Free Universalist Magazine," edited by Rev. Abel Sargent, and printed in New-York and Baltimore, 1793. And you desire furtherinformation relative to the preachers and societies named in the article from Br. Thomas. I have thought it proper to address you a few lines, for the purpose of directing you in the way to obtain the information desired -- and to obtain it from a source that may be relied on as correct -- that is, from Rev. Abel Sargent, himself. Were I at Marietta, (O.,) I could give you much information realtive to the subject generally; but as Br. SArgent is still living, and able to speak for himself, it would be more proper to obtain the information from him.

I have the honor of a personal acquaintance with Br. Sargent. He called on me at Marietta and Belpre, (Ohio,) about four years since. He is now about 67 years old -- when I saw him, his health was good, his voice was clear and strong, and he is considered a good speaker. He was (as he informed me) performing his last general visit to the brethren, where he had preached, west of the Allegany mountain; and he said that he should (when he had performed this general tour) then retire to some place in the State of Indiana, where he should endeavor to spend the remainder of his days in quietness and peace. That Br. Sargent will attend to any request for information, made directly to him, by you, I have no doubt. And should the call on him be published in your paper, with a request to the Editors of the Sentinel and Star in the West to republish it, I have no doubt bit it would reach him in due time, and elicit the desired information. -- Though Br. Sargent is generally known in the south part of the State of Ohio, I know of no one that would be more likely to know his present resident than Br. J. Kidwell, Editor of the Sentinel and Star in the West.

I am acquainted with some old people who heard Br. Sargent preach, nearly forty years ago, in the State of Pennsylvania. It has been as much as thirty-five years since he first preached at Belpre, and other places west of the mountain.

He gathered a large church in the neighborhood of Marietta -- they had many preachers -- but as you will obtain all the information desired on these subjects, from Br. Sargent, I will not go into particulars. Br. Sargent, in his first publications, discarded the doctrine of the trinity, and maintained the Divine unity. And in this he was before Ballou -- if not before any man in the United States. * With the trinity, he rejected vicarious atonement, or the vicarious suffering of Christ, and contended that at-one-ment meant to reconcile or make one, by making peace -- but that the change was wholly in man, that God never had changed, and that none could change him. And I think Br. Sargent, and the "Free Church" generally, denied the natural immortality of the soul, and predicated future life and immortality on a resurrection from the state of death. That they do at the present time, I am certain; and believe they did from the beginning. Br. Sargent has been writing and publishing on the subject of religion, nearly forty years. The last periodical that I knew of his publishing, was entitled "The Lamp of Liberty;" it was discontinued about four years ago. The Lamp of Liberty was published in Cincinnati, Ohio.


Note 1: Few, if any, copies the of 1827-29 Cincinnati Lamp of Liberty appear to have survived, however the Rev. Barton W. Stone, Editor of the Christian Messenger, wrote some disparaging comments regarding the first two issues of the Lamp of Liberty, in his Christian Messenger. See that paper's issue of Aug. 25, 1827, where Rev. Stone attributes management of the periodical to the otherwise unknown "Liberating Community" of Cincinnati. Perhaps this was the last, lingering remnant of Sargent's once extensive (if not particularly numerous) "Halcyon Church."

Note 2: The farewell tour of the Ohio river towns, that Mr. Sweet mentions, was evidently undertaken by the Rev. Able M. Sargent at the time he left Cincinnati (1829?) to relocate near his brother's George Sargent's home in Logan, Fountain Co., Indiana. It is not known whether or not Rev. Sargent submitted the requested autobiographical information to the Union Co., Indiana Sentinel and Star in the West. Rev. Sargent's last known public communication, prior to his death in that state on Aug. 10, 1839, was a personal notice that he had printed in the Bloomington Post, on Nov. 27, 1835.

MORMONISM.

Br. J. B. Prosser, of Bolton, Warren county, writes in a late letter, as follows: --

"The Mormon prophets are working wonders in Bolton. Fifty, or upwards, have joined the standard raised by Jo. Smith, jr. More are expected to join them speedily. I know of no Universalist that has been disturbed at all by the revelation of "Nephi." It is but a word and a blow with the prophets, with regard to initiation -- they baptize in the night-time, when occasion requires. They appear to be greatly hurried."

The world has truly got to a strange pass, when people in numbers and companies can be juggled out of reason and common sense, so far as to give themselves up as the disciples and followers of the miserable scapegoat, Jo. Smith, jr., a juggling knave and a lazy swindler, who, having escaped from prison [sic] and the hand of legal justice, has set up for himself in religion, by publishing what he calls his golden Bible, his own wicked invention, filled with a tissue of the most glaring absurdities and nonsensical trash. It would seem that there is no impostor too vile and scandalous to have his devoted followers, and no kind of knavery or absurdity too palpable to have its dupes and victims. But Jo. Smith jr. is not the only impostor and religious juggler of the present age. It is our honest, serious and dep conviction of mind, that Jedediah Burchard and his coadjutors in modern fanaticism, are practicing as great an imposition, as vile an imposture, a worse kind of blasphemy, and exerting a far more extensively pernicious influence in society, than that of the Mormon prophet and his followers. For Burchard and his coadjutors are more enlightened, move in a different circle, and impose on more people than the Mormonites have it in their power to impose upon. Therefore the greater is their guilt.     S.


Notes: (forthcoming)

UNIVERSALISM.

There is no doctrine or sentiment which is so well calculated to give unalloyed joy to the truly devoted Christian, as that of the cheering doctrine of universal emancipation from sin and misery of all the intelligent offspring of our heavenly Father.

Yet the false creed of Mohammed, or the visionary and ludicrous sentiments of the Mormons have not been held in more disrepute, or more pointed at with the finger of scorn and contempt, than the heavenly doctrine of Universalism. The doctrine most calculated to fill the humane heart, and pious soul with sorrow and despair, has been embraced before it, and in opposition to it! Cometh this from a corrupted heart, or a muddied intellect? Our faith in the benevolence of all men, as evinced in their desires for universal happiness forbids the former, and impels to the latter conclusion. May, then, the happy period soon arrive, when a knowledge commensurate with these good desires shall cover the earth and fill every mind.     N. B.

---

(For the Magazine and Advocate.)

MORMONISM -- AURORA BOREALIS.

It is very common with men at the present day, to declaim loudly against the superstitious and extravagant notions prevalent during the darker ages of popish dictation and monkish credulity; while they, perhaps, at the same time, openly avow their belief in what is equally preposterous, or give a tacit assent to such opinions, by allowing them to be proclaimed within the legitimate sphere of their influence, without any expression of disappointment or attempts at refutation...

Even now, there are many among us, wearing the sanctimonious visage of the Glastonbury saint, who would undoubtedly, should an opportunity present, hold with an iron grasp, in torturing durance, the arch enemy of Heaven; and the loud portentious cry of the Mormon prophet to his deluded followers is ringing in our ears:

"On, on to the far away West! the promised land,
From the dread, awful day, where God shall quick command:
'Let the Northern Lights with consuming vengeance glow,
Enwrap the unbelieving world in wrathful wo!'
On, ever-faithful, obedient, holy band!
Children of endless life! away to the promised land."
The above lines may be unintelligible, in part, to soem readers: for the benefit of such I will make explanation. On the evening of the 17th of May, the aurora borealis illumined the northern regions of our hemisphere with unusual brilliancy...

But their appearance and intense brilliancy were unusual at this season of the year. Hence the wild, enthusiastic Mormon teachers announced the awful intelligence, that the northern lights would soon increase to such a degree of intensity as to consume the world. "These lights, (so say the disciples of Jo. Smith, jr.) are to shine brighter and brighter in the latter days, until a part of the world shall be consumed and the rest purified. And the latter days are now come." Latter days of what? Not of superstition and fanaticism. The announcement was made, simultanwously, by a number of the Mormon teachers, in a neighborhood including parts of Livonia and Geneseo towns in Livingston county. In these towns, and in Avon, Mormon meetings have frequently been held, for some months past, which have been attended with some success; though small, when the long-continued, strenuous efforts which have been made are taken into consideration. They now number nearly fifty in the vicinity, with teachers, preachers and prophets enough for the general good; say ten to fifteen. On the eventful evening of the 17th of May, they went from house to house, alarming and terrifying the people with their ominous predictions. They succeeded in working on the fears of nine in such a manner, as to induce them to be baptized on the following evening. They usually baptize between the hours of nine and twelve at night. With regard to the expression, "children of endless life," it is well known that a petition, purporting to be from the "subjects of endless life," and praying a lease of a tract of land, situate near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, was presented to Congress during its last session. The asked for a lease to remain in force, only during the "natural life" of one of their members, who they believed would never taste death. But the member, named in the memorial, has since died; a circumstance which ought to dispel their illusion. Whether this society is a ramification of Mormonism, or some other species of fanaticism, I know not; be it as it may, many of the followers of the new revelator, Jo. Smith, jr. are deluded enough to suppose they shall never die.

They receive slmost daily, revelations; even in the most trifling occurences of life they are directed by the counsel of the Most High. They often speak in an unknown tongue, which appears not only unknown to the hearers, but to the speakers, for they cannot interpret it. However, when they shall have increased their number to fifty, they are to receive, among many other new and miraculous gifts, that of the interpretation of tongues. -- There is an institution among them, in which some respects bears affinity to the Shaker dance. The manner in which this ceremony is performed, as well as the advantages derivable from its enactment, are a matter of speculation and burlesque, among those who are not willing to receive the say-so of the swindling impostor, Jo. Smith, jr. as their "only rule of faith and practice." It is reported, and not without considerable circumstantial and some positive testimony, that the ceremony consists in tumbling and rolling about the floor "by the whole troop," men, women and children, "without discrimination or preference." Be this true or false, their undignified , immodest carriage and obscene behaviour, are proverbial wherever their preposterous notions have been fairly proclaimed and practically exemplified. In once case, not in Livingston county, but in a neighboring part of the State, (the facts are derived from a credible source,) a Methodist minister managed to slip behind a door, from whence he witnessed a part of the ludicrous proceedings. On his being observed by one of the Mormonites, the first exclamation escaping from the observer was "the devil!" "The sons of God came to present themselves (i. e. to tumble) before the Lord, and satan came also among them." Should this meet the eye of our Methodist brother, I hope he will not be unwilling to admit that he was an adversary in the Mormon camp. AS the proceedings could not well be dispensed with, and attempt was made to divert his attention; but he would not have his attention withdrawn from the novel exhibition. They then had recourse to threatenings, and denounced the most terrinle judghments on the unwelcome intruder; which would surely fall upon him before he left the neighborhood. But he had the good sense to laugh at their threatenings, and the good fortune to leave the place the next day in good health, and free from the contaminating influence of their lascivious practices. They say, "the cholera will prove tenfold more destructive in the course of this Summer than it ever has at any former period." "Thousands and thousands will this year curse God and die." If so, let them beware. Their crowded meetings in warm weather -- the high mental and physical excitement which usually prevails, together with their "holy rolls" and night baptisms, would furnish fit subjects for the fell pestilence: and should that unparalleled scourage re-visit our land, the poor wandering Mormonites may have, above all others, most cause to deprecate its return. They pretend to heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, and make the lame to walk; but, like Jemima Wilkinson, they require the faith of the witnesses to assist them in working miracles. Faith unshaken is first requisite in those who would be cured; then, "As a man thinketh so is he." Hence, many wonderful miracles are said to have been wrought. "If the Lord be God, serve him; if Ball, serve him." Is it not written, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Mormon?) &*nbsp;   M. L. F.
Henrietta, Monroe county, June 24, 1833.

For some other particuoars respecting the Mormon delusion, the reader may see last page, article "Mormonism."     G.

---

From the American Eagle.

MORMONISM.

(view the original of this article)

Note 1: On November 13th, 1833, Joseph Smith, Jr. wrote in his journal: "I arose and beheld to my great Joy the stars fall from heaven... A literal fullfillment of the word of God as recorded in the holy scriptures and a sign that the coming of Christ is close at hand. Oh how marvellous are thy works Oh Lord and I thank thee for thy mercy unto thy servant. Oh Lord save me in thy Kingdom for Christ's sake..." LDS historian Scott Faulring attributes the source of Smith's joy to his having perceived "the northern lights" on that night. However, the date of Smith's recorded observation clearly shows that what he saw was the Leonid meteor shower of the early morning of Nov. 13th, and not the aurora borealis mentioned in the Evangelical Magazine's article of July 13, 1833. More than likely, the "Mormon teachers" mentioned in the above article were responding to the unusual exhibitions of northern lights observed in Northa America during mid-May, 1833 -- see Alexander D. Bache's "Note of the Effect upon the Magnetic Needle, of the Aurora Borealis, Visible at Philadelphis, on the 17th of May, 1833," in The Journal of the Franklin Institute for July of 1835. The same exhibition was reported in The Advocate of Science for Jun 6, 1833, on page 45, where the writer says: "On the evening of the 17th ult., a very remarkable phenomenon was seen. A brilliant aurora was visible at 8 o'clock, extending from N. W. to N. E...."

Note 2: It seems rather unlikely that displays of Mormonite pentacostalism continued in any of that denomination's branches as late as 1833. If the Monroe County correspondent's allegations of such are to be taken at face value, probably the dating of those exhibitions of "bodily exercises" needs to be set in the year 1832 or even earlier. Joseph Smith, jr. forbade such demonstrations among his Kirtland followers during the early part of 1831. His prohibition did not extend to speaking in tongues, raising the dead, nor fainting during preaching services, however. The ostensible head of the Mormonites in Livingston Co., was no doubt "Father" Alvah Beaman, who in 1833 was living at Avon. Two years later he moved his family to Kirtland and the congregation of Livingston Co. saints appears to have faded away at about the same time.

Note 3: This same correspondent had a letter published in the Evangelical Magazine of Apr. 5, 1834

"REGULATING"  THE  MORMONITES.

Some days since we announced to our readers by means of a letter from Missouri, that the Mormonite head quarters in Jackson county, in that state, had been broken up. The St. Louis Republican of the 9th inst., just received, gives the annexed particulars of the transaction. We can easily conceive that such an establishment would be quite a nuisance any where, but we must say, notwithstanding, that such a mode of breaking it up is illegal and riotous, however respectable may have been the individuals concerned. What avail our toleration principles, if no sect is to be endured but such as are free from extravagance and fanaticism? --   N. Y. Journal of Commerce.

(The original Mo. Republican article follows)

Notes: (forthcoming)

Not long since a Mormon preacher in Vermont, by way of establishing his infalibility, asserted that his flesh could not be hurt, upon which a by-stander gave him a blow that brought him sprawling to the ground. As soon as he recovered himself, he found that the argument made use of by the Vermonter was too strong, and he made off.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMONITES.

I much like the spirit of the following article by one of the Editors of the Sentinel and Star in the West. I say "DITTO" to Br. Tizzard. However deluded -- however wrong -- however fanatical, the followers of Jo Smith may be -- however deserving of either reprobation or ridicule -- contempt or commiseration -- they are still citizens -- their erroneous faith cannot disenfranchise them.

No fear need be entertained of the great spread of Mormonism, if it is let alone -- but persecute it, and it will outstrip a locomotive steam engine in its progress. But it is too ridiculous -- to absurd to gain credence in any other way. I deem every man, in reality, an enemy to truth who attempts its defence by force or fraud -- and a friend to error, who attempts the extipation of a false creed by persecution and oppresive, illegal means. Let us frown down the hypocrisy of the hypocrite, and teach the ignorant better things. But hear Br. Tizzard.     G.

PERSECUTION.

We learn from various papers that the inhabitants of Jackson county, Missouri, have taken upon themselves the responsibility of driving the poor Mormons from among them, and have demolished the office of their publication, entitled the "Star." How do such doings comport with the letter and spirit of our inimitable Constitution (see first article of ammendments to the United States Constitution), the freedom of the press, and the rights of conscience? If the Mormonites have transgressed the laws of Missouri, let them be punished by those laws. We shall ever contend for freedom of opinion; and will ever oppose the infliction of punishment on an individual, or a community, for opinion's sake. We had thought that the old patriarchal laws of New-England, under which Quakers and Baptists were put to death, had sunk into oblivion; but the people of Jackson county, Missouri, seem to posses the same spirit which dictated those laws, and have commenced a crusade against what they call a deluded set of fanatics. Brethren, let reason be your weapon, not the sword, to drive error and delusion from your Territory; then will all good men wish you success in the warfare.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Civil War in Missouri. -- The people of Jackson county are using the torch, the sword, and the musket, against the Mormonites. On the 31st of October, a mob of fifty persons attacked and demolished 12 of the Mormon dwellings, beat the inmates, and drove women and children into the woods. On the 1st Nov. the war recommenced, both [arties using fire arms. On the 5th, the mob recommenced the assault about 300 strong. Several of the assailants were badly wounded and three of them killed. Among the latter was an Attorney named H. L. Breazeleale. Subsequently, there was another battle, in which several were killed on both sides. One of the Mormon worshippers gives an account of the affair in a St. Louis paper, concluding as follows: --

I am satisfied that it is useless to undertake to enforce the laws in that county under the present circumstances, because there is no one to enforce them. Every officer, civil and military, with one or two exceptions, is either directly or indirectly engaged in the mob.

Under these painful circumstances, what remains to be done? Must we be driven from our homes? Must we leave the soil for which we have paid our money? -- Most our women and children be turned out of doors with nothing but the clouded canopy to cover them and the perpetration of the above crimes escape unpunished? Or must we fight our enemies three to one, or lie down and die and our names be blotted out from among men? Let the Executive of our State and nation consider these questions; and if they will answer them in the negative, let them signify it by raising the helping hand. Again, I ask in behalf of my brethren: Will not the Governor or President lend a helping hand in this deadly calamity? Shall the crisis of the innocent and distressed, salute the ears of the Executive in vain? God forbid! For while the constitution of the United States, which was given by the inspiration of Almighty God through the instrumentality of our fathers, shall stand, I trust that those who are honored with the Executive, will see that the laws are magnified and made honorable. -- Perhaps some of my friends, on reading this letter, will be ready to ask me what I think of my religion now: I have no reply, other than this: Paul said, "He that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

Editors throughout the United States, are requested to publish this letter, if they are willing to confer a favour upon those who are journeying through much tribulation

I am, sirs, though a stranger, your friend and humble servant.         ORSAN HYDE.


Notes: (forthcoming)

CIVIL WAR AND BLOODSHED. The St. Louis Republican of the 12th ult. gives an account of a series of outrages by the inhabitants of Independence, Jackson co., (Missouri) upon the Mormonites, derived from Mr. Orsan [sic] Hyde, an eye-witness and sufferer, and a leader of the sect. From his statement, which is confirmed by a postscript in the Boonville Herald of the 7th ult., it appears, that on the night of October 31st, some forty or fifty of the citizens of Jackson county, made an assault upon the Mormonite village, and demolished twelve dwelling houses. Two of the Mormonites were taken and severely beaten and stoned. On the following night, the attack was renewed by the same mob, who broke open Gilbert and Whitney's store and scattered their goods through the streets. On Saturday night, another assault was made, but the Mormons, in the mean time, had conveyed their goods to a place of safety, and prepared themselves for defence. They were fired upon by the mob, and returned the fire, by which two men were wounded. On Monday, the mob had increased to between two and three hundred men, well armed, who called themselves the Militia. -- They again attacked the settlement, and poured a deadly fire -- says the informant -- upon the settlers, several of whom were killed. A party of the Mormons returned the fire, with a fatal effect. Some twenty or thirty of the assailants fell, mortally wounded, among them Hugh L. Bronseale and a Mr. Hicks, attorneys at law. The writer, after this battle, left the settlement to wait upon the governor, to petition for a redress of these grievances. The issue of the application is not stated.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Trouble in Missouri. -- The New York Commercial of Friday contains a letter from a Mr. Hyde, a Mormonite, giving an account of several conflicts, in which blood was shed, between a body of Mormons, living at the town of Independence, Missouri, and some of the inhabitants by whom they were attacked. He states that on the 31st October last, some forty or fifty men came and demolished twelve dwelling houses of the Mormonites. The inmates were obliged to escape to the woods. On the 1st of November they were attacked again, and broke open the doors and windows of all the dwellings in the town belonging to the Mormonites. The next day the Mormonites gathered their property together, to be better prepared for defence, and at night they were attacked and fired upon with guns, and returned the fire, and shot one of the assailants. A day or two afterwards, the people collected together to the number of three hundred, well armed, and made another assault. The Mormonites were prepared and poured back a deadly fire upon them. Three of the assailants were killed, and a number mortally wounded. -- The writer then left the place; after he had descended the river (Blue) and landing to receive freight, a man rode up and stated that there had been another battle, and about twenty of the assailants killed. The cannonading was distinctly heard from the boat. This is indeed extraordinary. These men are fanatics, it is true -- but harmless ones. This account is almost incredible, but seems to have been generally believed. Who could credit it, that a people, only from a difference in creed and worship, would in this country, be hunted down like wild beasts!


Note 1: The New York Commercial Advertiser ran Orson Hyde's somewhat misleading eye-witness statement on Friday, Nov. 29, 1833. The paper's sister newspaper, the New York Spectator published an extract from Hyde's account on Monday, Dec. 2, 1833. Many newspapers (like the Utica paper) picked up and reprinted Hyde's report, giving the Mormon plight in Missouri national exposure for the next several weeks.

Note 2: The editor wonders whether the Mormons could "be hunted down like wild beasts," simply because of a difference between themselves and the Missourians, of "creed and worship." The causes of the conflict were certainly more than just that seemingly small difference, and the conflict had been going on for months before the outbreak of violence that November. However, readers at a distance were not well informed of the circumstances and events in "Zion," and obviously had difficulty in accounting for the disturbing reports of bloodshed there.

PAINFUL  INTELLIGENCE.
            St. Louis, (Mo.) Nov. 15.

THE MORMONS AND THE ANTI MORMONS. -- Our intelligence from the West by the mail is not so late as that brought by the steamboat Charleston. The Fayette Monitor corroborates the statement of Mr. Hyde, in relation to the violent proceedings of the Anti-Mormons, so far as the accounts of that paper extend. Houses and property were destroyed, and the elders of the church severely whipped by the mob, under cover of the night. -- It is impossible to forsee what is to be the result of this singular and outrageous violation of the laws. We fear that the party opposed to the Mormons will think themselves placed so far beyind the pale of the law as to continue utterly regardless of it, and eventually, by the power of numbers, be enabled to cut off the offending sect. The loss of their relatives and partizans will stimulate them to these acts, and fearful acts of bloodshed may have already been witnessed. As yet, our intelligence is not very accurate, or full, in regard to the measures taken by the officers of the county to surpass the rebellion as it may properly be called. -- The entire county is probably arrayed on one side or on the other; and in this state of things the power of the sheriff, and other officers, to suppress the riot, is perfectly futile. It is reported besides, that the judge of the circuit, who attempted to interfere to stop the proceedings, as well as some of the officers, were captured by the mob, and placed in durance, either in jail, or in charge of some of their number, for a good many hours; and the lieut. governor, who resided in that county, was driven from it. In this state of things, we appregend the proper course would have been for the authorities to have represented the case to the Executive, for his interposition; but we have not learned whether they have done so. The facts are, nevertheless, notorious; and the governor should, without delay, if he has not already done it, act upon them. He is bound to see that the laws are executed against all offenders. The power of the county not being available in this case -- for almost all are concerned in the insurrection -- the governor should issue his proclamation, calling out the militia of the neighboring counties, to enforce the laws, and to quell the riot. He should give the requisite orders to the officers for that purpose; and do it with all alacrity. It is very evident, that unless some effective measures are adopted by him in this emergency, the lives of many valuable citizens will be sacrificed, and the state suffer an irretrievable injury. A rancorous, deadly hostility, has long existed between the parties, and unless the firmness and prudence of the governor should be equal to the crisis, and the offending party be severely punished, we must expect to hear of the continual recurrence of such disgraceful proceedings.

We have nothing to do with the original causes of the quarrel. There may be many worthless and intolerable members of the obnoxious sect; but the laws are equal to the punishment of all those who are guilty of violating them. It does not appear that they were appealed to at all prior to this contest. The Mormons are as much protected in their religion, their property, and persons, as any other denomination or class of men. We think that they acted perfectly right in offering the resistance which they did, and thus far they have the sympathy of this part of the community.

---

MORE MORMON TROUBLES. -- We learn that there has been another fracas in Missouri, between the Mormon fanatics and the citizens, in which fire arms were resorted to. Twenty of the latter and two of the former were killed. It is said that since the previous affair, the Prophet had sent orders to the brethren there, to "stand by their arms," instead of leaving the place as they had agreed. They had accordingly erected some kind of barricade and supplied themselves with arms. The citizens commenced the attack, and were totally routed, with the loss as above stated. There were also several wounded. We understood that dispatches have arrived at the head quarters of the prophet in this county, by a special messenger, from the seat of war. --   Painesville Telegraph.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS. -- Companies of Mormons continue to pass through this State for "Mount Zion." One would suppose that the late events at Zion would cool the zeal of the new converts. But it is not so. It is given out that one of the prophets, some two years since, foretold the destruction of Zion, and the fulfilment of his rediction is regarded as conclusive evidence of the Divine Character of the new religion. One of the Mormons on being required to point out another prophecy and its fulfilment, stated that about one year ago a Mormon prophet visited Cincinnati, and foretold the destruction of that city; and he had lately seen a person direct from Cincinnati, who informed him that the cholera and small pox had carried off nearly all the inhabitants of that city! --   Sangamo Journal.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE WAR AGAINST THE MORMONITES. -- We are glad to receive, says the St. Louis Republican, more pacific accounts from the county of Jackson... The Mormonites have determined to oppose no further armed resistance to the dominent party, and they were rapidly leaving the county and their homes, with intention of forming another community elsewhere. They are determined, however, to prosecute the citizens engaged in hostilities towards them, and for the depredations committed upon their property. They have undoubtedly adopted the best course which was left to them; and all alarm has subsided in that county.

All our accounts concur in one thing, that the original statement as to the number killed was much exaggerated. The most authentic and latest account which has reached us, puts down the number at 6 -- 2 of the citizens, and 4 of the Mormonites, and a good many wounded.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMON WAR. -- A letter from the Rev. B. Pixley, to the editor of the New-York Observer, relative to the civil war in Missouri, between the inhabitants and the Mormons, gives a somewhat different version of the affair from that published some time ago, by Orson Hyde, one of the Elders. From Mr. Pixley's account, it appears that the sect proclaimed that the spot they had selected was the Zion spoken of in scripture -- that the present inhabitants would be driven off, and that they, the Mormons, should inhabit the country. This arrogant pretence, coupled with an invitation to all the free negroes to come and join them, aroused a spirit of opposition, and induced the citizens, last summer, to pull down their printing office. They were proceeding to other extremities, when expostulation ensued and a treaty was made in which it was agreed that the Mormons should move away before another summer, and in consideration thereof the other party were to make good the loss sustained by destroying their printing office. Instead, however, of making any preparations for departure, the Mormons proceeded to arm themselves, barricaded portions of their settlement, and threatened to kill any one who should molest them. This provoked a renewal of hostilities, and the consequences have been that in the skirmishes that have taken place, 3 of the Mormons have been killed, and about 20 of the inhabitants. At the last encounter the citizens proved too powerful for the Mormonites, and would have destroyed them but for the interposition of the civil authorities. Great exasperation continued to prevail, and no immediate means of composing the difficulties were as yet perceptible.

Still later accounts represent that a cessation of hostilities had taken place between the Mormonites and the inhabitants of Jackson county, in consequence of which the former were rapidly leaving their country and their homes, with the intention of forming another community elsewhere. The extent of loss of lives is said to have been exaggerated -- and it is now confidently affirmed that only four of the Mormons and two of their opponents have been killed.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMON WAR. -- A letter from the Rev. B. Pixley, to the editor of the New-York Observer, relative to the civil war in Missouri, between the inhabotants and the Mormons, gives a somewhat different version of the affair from that published some time ago. From Mr. Pixley's account, it appears that the spot they had selected was the Zion spoken of in scripture -- that the present inhabitants would be driven off, and that they, the Mormons, should inhabit the country. -- This arrogant pretence, coupled with an invitation to all the free negroes to come and join them, aroused a spirit of opposition, and induced the citizens, last summer, to pull down their printing office. They were proceeding to other extremities, when expostulation ensued and a treaty was made, in which it was agreed that the Mormons should move away before another summer, and in consideration thereof the other party were to make up the loss sustained by destroying their printing office. Instead, however, of making any preparations for departure, the Mormons proceeded to arm themselves, barricaded portions of their settlement, and threatened to kill any one who should molest them. This provoked a renewal of hostilities. At the last encounter the citizens proved too powerful for the Mormonites, and would have destroyed them but for the interposition of the civil authorities. Great exasperation continued to prevail, and no immediate means of composing the difficulties were as yet perceptible.

Still later accounts represent that a cessation of hostilities had taken place between the Mormonites and the inhabitants of Jackson county, in consequence of which the former were rapidly leaving their country and their homes, with the intention of forming another community elsewhere. The extent of loss of lives is said to have been exaggerated; and it is now confidently affirmed that only four of the Mormons and two of their opponents have been killed.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS AGAIN. -- Governor Dunklin of Missouri, has issued an Executive Letter directed to several leading men of the Mormon persuasion, directing them to appeal to the courts of law, which are bound to render them satisfaction for the late outrageous assaults upon their rights and liberties as peaceable citizens. The Governor says. "in the event that the laws cannot be executed, and that fact is officially made known to me, my duty will require me to take such steps as will enforce a faithful execution of them."

---

The Wayne Sentinel states that the mysteries of Mormonism are about to be developed to the world. Dr. P. Hurlbert, of Kirtland, Ohio, who has given the matter a thorough investigation, intends publishing a history of this new faith. The Sentinel says -- "the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon was written some thirty years since, by a respectable clergyman, now deceased. It was designed to be published as a romance, but the author died soon after it was written, and hence the plan failed. The pretended religious character of the work has been superadded by some more modern hand -- believed to be the notorious Rigdon. These particulars have been derived by Dr. Hurlbert from the widow of the author of the original manuscript."


Notes: (forthcoming)

            (For the Magazine and Advocate.)

INTERVIEW  WITH  THE  MORMON  PROPHET.

Messers. EDITORS. -- Yesterday I attended a Mormon meeting in Geneseo, at which was present, for the first time in that place, the foundation, main pillar, and corner stone of Mormonism, the doughty Jo. Smith, Jun.

A multitude was assembled to hear what this impudent ignoramus would say; most of whom were surprised that he said so little and made so ordinary an appearance. He did not attempt to preach, but made some few statements with regard to himself and his clumsy compilation of pretended oracles.

He said many would disbelieve that a recent revelation had been made to him, and in view of himself: and the "Book of Mormon," would raise the cry of false prophet! delusion!! (!!!) &c., but that a revelation from heaven was given to him, and by him had been faithfully transcribed, for the benefit of all who should receive his testimony!

In his person, he is about six feet in height, neither attenuated nor corpulent. His eyes are rather dull than expressive, hair of a light brown, and his countenance unmarked by any peculiar expression indicative of intense thought or extraordinary intellect. He is said to be about twenty-seven years of age. His manner is ungainly, his diction coarse, and his delivery slow and labored. There is nothing in his appearance or language to excite much attention, save his presumptuous impiety.

Having a short distance to walk, on the dispersion of the multitude, it so happened that my route lay in the same direction pursued by this wonder working impostor. Embracing the opportunity thus thrown in my way, the following colloquy, substantially and almost verbatim, ensued between us.

Self. Sir, is your name Jo. Smith, Jun.?
Mormon Prophet. That is my name, Sir.

S. Have you a mission from God to this generation?
M. P. That question I shall leave you to answer, at present. You heard my testimony to-day.

S. But not being convinced of the truth of that testimony, I have embraced this opportunity to obtain more satisfactory evidence that your mission is from above; or more ample proof that you are an impostor. Ought you not to "be ready always to give me an answer" and "a reason to every man that asketh you?"
M. P. When put in a good spirit and at a proper time, I should be ready to answer. You commenced this conversation [abruptly].

S. The questions were proposed in a spirit of candor. I do not reside in this neighborhood, and probably may never meet you again. I therefore, have seized on such a time as circumstances have permitted. The importance of the subject matter to which my interrogatories had reference, must apologize for the abruptness of manner.

Here this Baal of the Mormonites, irritated and vexed by the manner in which the conversation had been carried on, murmured out something which became inaudible in the distance, as he urged on his horse and was soon out of the reach of my voice; leaving me to the full enjoyment of my disbelief in the truth of his testimony, or, if perchance I should find a pair of "stone spectacles," aided by their magical powers, to pore through his book of falsehoods in search of truth, as might best suit mine inclination.         M. L. P.

Henrietta, March 17, 1834.


Note 1: Henrietta twp. lies in Monroe Co. N. Y., south of Rochester and northwest of Mendon, near the meeting of today's Monroe-Wayne line with the northern border of Ontario Co. On March 16, 1834 Joseph Smith, Jr. was staying at the Alvah Beaman residence in Avon, Livingston Co. (near the southwest corner of Monroe Co.). He had left Kirtland in late February (after the successful conclusion of D. P. Hurlbut's preliminary hearing in Painesville) in company with Parley P. Pratt, attempting to solicit funding for his planned military expedition to Jackson Co., Missouri. During this same time Sidney Rigdon was traveling with Lyman Wight in the same direction and for the same purpose. On March 10th Smith was at Warren Cowdery's home in Cattaraugus Co., and five days later he arrived at Beaman's. On March 17, 1834, Smith, Rigdon, and their associates held a special conference in Avon. The writer of the above letter says that Smith was in Geneseo on the 16th. Probably he made the day-trip away from the Beaman home in Avon in order to solicit funds there.

Note 2: This correspondent also had one of his letters published in the Evangelical Magazine of July 13, 1833.

MORMONITES. -- On the 17th of May, a caravan a caravan of about two hundred Mormonites, with a long train of wagons, passed through this place, on their way to the "far west." There were but few women among them, and the men were generally, if not all, supplied with fire arms. A stout, hardy set of looking fellows they were too, and many of them quite intelligent. From their equipment, it has been suspected that they intend joining and defending their brethren in Jackson county, Missouri. They professed to be in search of new lands, whereon to form a settlement, either in Illinois or farther west. We understand they were from the states of Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania, and had assembled at some point on their route hither. --  Richmond (Ind.) Palladium.


Notes: (forthcoming)

A MORMON BATTLE. -- A letter has been received at Chardon, (Ohio) direct from Missouri, which states that a body of well armed Mormons. led on by their Prophet Joe Smith, lately attempted to cross the river into Jackson county. A party of the citizens of Jackson county opposed their crossing -- a battle ensued, in which Joe Smith was wounded in the leg, and the Mormons retreated. Smith's limb was amputated, but he died three days after the operation.


Notes: (forthcoming)

            (For the Magazine and Advocate.)

TOUR  IN  OHIO.

Brs. SKINNER and GROSH -- If you think the following tour would be interesting to your numerous readers, you are at liberty to publish it.

Monday, September 1, I left the vicinity of my labors for the last year, for an excursion in Ohio. I travelled up the Lake road; the thoroughfare for all who journey by land to the great West; delivering ths message of the Gospel, according to previous arrangements, on different evenings, at Mill Creek and Springfield, Pa., Ashtabula and Geneva, Ohio. Friday I called on Br. H. De Woolf, who had lately removed from Vermont to Madison. After spending an hour with him and his family, I proceeded south, towards Chardon, the present residence of Br. Tracy, who is, for the time being, employed by the Geauga county society. The road to that place led me through the ravine of the Grand river, skirted by high projecting banks and over-hanging cliffs, which formed a delightful contrast with the monotnous scenery of a smooth, even road. I arrived in Chardon just in time to meet my appointment, and on Saturday returned to the Ridge road, at Chagrin, where I spend the Sunday. Journeying to this place I passed through Kirtland, the rendezvous of the Mormons. Here they are erecting their temple, the wall of which, composed of stone, I was informed was reared to the height of fifty feet.

Monday, September 8, I pursued my jouney to Cleveland a flourishing town on the lake, at the mouth of the Cayuhoga, and the northern termination of the Ohio canal. Casting a glance at its superb and beautiful mansions -- its fine specimens of architecture -- its sail, steam and canal boats; with its busy multitude of visitors and citizens thronging its streets; I passed on to Olmstead...

Returning thence, I arrived, on Wednesday following, at the residence of my friend; and, after spending a day with him, proceeded to Monroe, where I lectured on Friday evening...

Monday, October 6, I directed my course towards home, and, after spending a Sunday at Springfield, where a society has been formed under the labors of Br. Beals, I arrived safe among my friends on the 18th, having been absent seven weeks; travelled more than six hundred miles, and preached thirty-one discourses. And now, returning thanks to my friends for their kindness, and to God for his preserving goodness, I commend the family of man, with myself, to his care and keeping.

Fredonia, October 28, 1834.                               J. E. HOLMES.

---

(For the Magazine and Advocate.)

MISREPRESENTATION. --  INFORMATION  WANTED.

Brs. SKINNER and GROSH -- A few weeks since, I had the privilege of hearing Mr. Moss, a Campbellite, deliver a lecture in this village. In his introductory remarks, however, he stated that that was not their name -- they did not believe in names, and therefore had never assumed one -- but the name, Campbellite, had been given them by others. But soon after this, he informed the congregation that they styled themselves "Learners, or disciples of Christ." Thus it appeared that, while they would wish to have us think theyare averse to names, they have assumed one which they think will make them appear very honorable as a Christian society, as well as humble before the public... from their answers to certain questions, and the preaching of Mr. Moss, I should not think they were very faithful disciples, or careful to learn the truth, and therefore are no more deserving of the name "disciple" than many others...

But to proceed. Ask one of these "disciples" if he verily believes that Christ, who gave himself a ransom for all, who rose victorious from the grave and thus destroyed death and him that had the power of death, will now as assuredly draw all men unto him, and thus raising them from death to life, and from corruption to incorruption, give ample testimony that he was their Saviour? And he will reply, I am not certain that it will be so. Do you believe that any part of the human family will be finally endlessly miserable? The answer is, "I dont know anything about it. I hope not -- I hope that all will be saved, but then we do not know as it will be so."...

Mr. Moss, in his private conversation, will not, as far as I can learn, acknowledge that he believes in the doctrine of Partialism; yet in discourse he labored to overthrow the doctrine of universal salvation. And to enable himself to effect this, he selected the seventeenth chapter of John's Gospel, commencing at the sixth verse... After having made a thrust at Calvinism, he told us he would tell us who the men were to whom Christ alluded... his apostles... I arose at the close of the meeting, and requested him to give me the name of the person from whom he had received such an explanation... He informed me that it was Br. Peck.

Will Br. Alfred Peck inform us whether he has given such an exposition of John xvii; 6.... Yours, &c.,

Cazenovia, Octobe, 1834.                               D. BIDDLECOM.

Note: The "Mr. Moss, a Campbellite" above mentioned was probably Elder Jasper Jesse Moss of Ohio. He was a school teacher at Kirtland when Mormonism first appeared in that village. See his letters to Mr. James T. Cobb of Salt Lake City, on that interesting subject.

Will Joshua Spooner, of Conneaut, Ohio, who has lately turned Mormon preacher, have so much religion as to send us the amount ($2.50) he is owing us for this paper?

Note: This was, perhaps, the Joshua Spooner was born in Salem (now Conneaut), Ohio in 1808, and who died in Wisconsin in 1876. He is not known to have joined the Mormons -- and, having been brought up in the very town where the Spalding authorship claims for the Book of Mormon originated, it seems odd that he might ever have contemplated doing so. However, see the Evangelical Magazine of Apr. 25, 1835, which places Spooner at Kirtland, Ohio during that year.

STATISTICS. --  MORMONISM.

To Correspondents. -- An esteemed brother in Steuben county requests us to publish a statistical table, giving at one view the whole number of Universalist Conventions...

We are also informed that a Mormon preacher quoted Jer l, and Genesis xlix; 22-27, in proof of his doctrine, and our opinion is gravely asked respecting the 24th verse of the latter passage...

the blessing of Jacob on Joseph, Gen, xlix: 22-27, "from thence" in the 24th verse, may be supposed to refer to some other (but it is extremely doubtful) than "the mighty of Jacob." I omit the supplied words. No genealogy of Christ can be traced to Joseph that I know of. But is our friend certain that "the shepherd, the stone of Israel" means either Christ, (or a greater than he, as Jo. Smith would have his followers believe)? Christ is called "the Rock, but this passage merely says "the stone of Israel" It may mean Christ -- (but the title does not denote a greater than Christ --) and it may mean "Joshua, the son of Nun," the lineal descendant of the patriarch Joseph. He was the "Saviour of Israel," and a very important personage in Jewish history. When it is remembered that Ephraim, the Son of Joseph, was the founder of a tribe that ultimately formed nearly the whole of the Kingdom of Israel, the rest of the passage is easily understood.

In conclusion... when the close of "the fulness of the times," which is the dispensation of Christ, can be proved to be past and finished, (1 Cor. xv,) and when Jo. Smith's lineage can be traced directly up to the patriarch Joseph, the Governor of Egypt (!), I will be willing to look for a "Jo. Smith dispensation," when "Mormonism shall be all in all" -- but no sooner.   A. B. G.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mr. Joshua Spooner, late of Conneaut, now of Kirtland, Ohio, on whom we called in number six, for the payment of his arrers, and stated that we heard he had turned Mormon preacher, has written a letter subjecting us to nineteen cents postage, saying he has paid Mr. G. Leavitt for the paper he took. But who is G. Leavitt? We know not. We have no such subscriber to our knowledge; and certainly no such agent who is authorized to receipt for this paper. We have neevr received the pay. Again, Mr. Spooner says he supposes we made that an excuse for writing against the people called Mormonites, of whom he thinks we know nothing. -- But we certainly said nothing against the Mormonites in the article alluded to. We will, however, now say so much of them as this: that they are a poor, deluded set of dupes to the vile impositions and jugglery of the mountebank Jo. Smith.     D. S.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  ANGEL.

Soon after the notorious impostor, Jo. Smith, of golden Bible memory, reached "the promised land" in Ohio, with his deluded followers, and was getting along with such "swimming success" in making proselytes and baptising them in Grand River, near Painesville, ("though he himself baptised not, but his disciples" in the instance at least which we are about to relate,) word was given out that an angel would uniformly appear, dressed in white, standing in the edge of the water on the opposite side of the river whenever the baptismal rite was administered, to witness and approve the ordinance. To give the celestial messenger a more imposing appearance, and withal, not to dazzle the eyes of weak mortals with too much glory for their feeble organs to behold, the rite was always very prudently administered in the night. The angel was uniformly sen as above described on such occasions. At length three young men of the place, resolved one night, when notice was given that a baptism was to be administered and the angel was to appear, that they would see the ghost nearer at hand than across the river, ah! and feel him too, if tangible, and ascertain whether he were material or immaterial substance. Accordingly these ghost-daring mortals secreted themselves in the bushes on the side where the angel would appear, opposite the baptismal administration. The ordinance proceeded, and behold!the angel was there, clothed in white, with a luminous appearance, the wonder and admiration of the Mormon host. Our triune guard now made a plunge -- the angel sprang to elude their grasp -- splash, splash goes the water -- deeper and deeper plunge the pursued and the pursuers, till behold! they had him fast -- it was surely material substance -- clear up to the neck, chin, and eyes of the ghost, dragging him directly through the river to the place of the ceremony, crying out, "we've got your angel -- his wings are wet and dripping." And behold! on examination by the light, it was the veritable Jo. Smith himself, with a sheet wrapped around him and a dark lantern concealed underneath!

The above fact we had a few days since from the lips of one of the daring trio, by the name of S____, now at work in the Frankfort furnace, only a few miles from this city. We deemed it too good to be lost. Pur readers have it as cheap as we had.     D. S.


Note 1: This unverified "angel" account circulated widely, in the form of a paraphrase published in the June 15, 1835 issue of the Rochester Republican. The Mormons responded to the Republican's reprint of this article in their LDS Messenger & Advocate of July 1835.

Note 2: See notes appended to the item entitled, "Phorphorus," in the Palmyra Reflector of June 22, 1830 for one possible explanation of the "luminous" Kirtland angel.

(For the Magazine and Advocate.

COMPLAINTS  OF  A  MORMONITE.

Messrs. Editors -- It is for the love I bear the truth, and a desire to obtain information. that I venture to trouble you with a communication at this time. But I pledge myself to be short, and my questions shall be to the point.

Have Universalists, as a denomination of Christians, been persecuted and slandered? Have they had hard words spoken against them unjustly, (for their religion's sake,) and all that, by those who knew not the doctrine they preached; neither would they hear it? And have not the Universalist public unamously spoken in terms expressive of their high disapprobation of such conduct, manifested by their Partialist brethren?

I can hardly entertain a doubt but that these questions will be answered in the affirmative. If so, ought Universalists with a higher hand, and an obdurant heart, to stigmatize, with the merciless epithets "notorious impostor," and "deluded followers, an innocent people, who have never injured them; and this because they have lately come forth preaching the Gospel, varrying somewhat from their (the Universalists) faith?

I ask, can Universalists preserve a clear conscience, keep themselves unspotted from the world, and be void of offence toward God, and toward man, when they pseak against, and openly revile an unoffending people? On the contrary, ought not they who know what persecution is from experience, be the first

      "To impart
To the needy; and kindly raise the burden,
From the oppressed heart?"
These lines are written with feelings of love, and an anxious desire for the immortal welfare of all God's children; dedicated to yourselves, hoping that an answer will be given through the columns of the Magazine and Advocate.     IDUMEA.
July 31, 1835.

P. S. The Editors of the Pioneer and Visitor are requested to copy the above     I.

REPLY.

The allusion in the above is well understood. The writer is a Mormonite and refers to the article which we originally wrote and published in number twenty-three of this paper, of the 6th of June last, entitled a "Mormon Angel," in which we spoke of Jo. Smith, the pretended Mormon prophet, as a "notorious impostor" and his votaries as "deluded followers," and related a well authenticated instance of the base imposture practiced by Smith.

In reply to the above communication signed Idumea, (which was mailed at Colebrook, N. H.,) we would say, the questions contained in his second paragraph, should all be answered (at least we should answer them all) in the affirmative. But because Universalists, as a Christian denomination have been persecuted, slandered, misrepresented, and abused, and we disapprove of that persecution, is this any good reason why we should not call things by their right names? We disclaim entirely any disposition to persecute or injure honest Mormons -- we pity them and would fain deliver them from the silly and mad delusion by which they are blinded and led astray. For we know them to be deluded followers" not only of a notorious" but of a very vile and wicked "impostor."

Jo. Smith and his villany are better known in this State than on the remote hills of New-Hampshire, or the distant regions of Ohio and the Western States. He is known here as a miserable mountebank and juggler -- too lazy to work, and too dishonest to seek a livelihood by any honorable and useful pursuit -- a disorderly vagrant and deceiver, who got his living till his golden bible was published, by glass-looking, or pretending, by means of a certain stone, or glass, which he put in a hat, to be able to discover lost goods, hidden treasures, mines of gold and silver, &c. He has been tried before a civil court ad a disorderly person, found guilty and condemned, and fled from these parts to escape the punishment his iniquity deserved. He never found any golden plates, as he pretended, from which to translate the book of Mormon -- the whole was sheer fabrication or forgery; and the miserable tools whom he employed to certify to the divine authority of his book, were among the weakest dupes, or most unprincipled vagrants that our State could furnish. And, at all events, if the Deity ever indited such a book as that, he must be mentally as weak as any of his worshippers, and could never have studied grammar in all his life, or he would never have thus horribly murdered language! For a further description of SMith and his vile imposture, see the second volume of this paper published in 1831, pp. 47, 120, and 198.

Smith has pretended to utter prophecies respecting events that were to take place before this time, and they have not come to pass -- therefore he is a false prophet. He pretended, as in the story referred to, that the angel of God would appear on the banks of Grand River, in Ohio, to sanction the rite of baptism as administered by his followers, and was himself caught and ducked in the river, while attempting to deceive the ignorant by-standers with the idea that he was an angel of God from heaven! And if such a man is not a "notorious impostor," we should like to be informed what would constitute one.

Is it wrong therefore to call men and things by their right names? If our correspondent is a sincere Mormonite, we honestly believe him to be a deluded follower" of a "notorious impostor;" we pity his delusion, and would exhort him to abandon so vile a leader and so wretched a cause, and become a true and faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.     D. S.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(For the Magazine and Advocate.

UNIVERSALISM  IN  OHIO.

Brs. Skinner and Grosh -- Will you give me leave, through the medium of your paper, to add my mite to the good news occasionally contained in its columns, relative to the prosperity of our cause in Ohio... [news of Universalism in Ohio follows]

The Mormons have recently bought an addition to their stock of absurdities, in the form of four Egyptian mummies, and a hieroglyphic bundle of characters, which Jo. Smith pretends he can interpret, and says this ancient manuscript is in the same language of the book of Mormon, (alias Rigdon.)