THE  MUSES.
______

                        FOR THE COURIER.

Human Life -- What is it?          

I've seen the shadow passing by,
    When pass'd its being time was o'er --
I've seen the pointed arrow fly,
    'Twas found no more.

I've seen the lightning cut the air,
    One vivid blaze, and all was gone --
I've seen the meteor's transient glare
    Pass quickly on.

I've seen the tender, lovely flower
    Dismantled of its modest hue --
I've seen the pine majestic tower
    And perish too.

I've seen the parting of the wave,
    'Twas parted and no trace remain'd --
I've sung the requiem of the brave --
    'Twas all he gain'd.

I've seen the pride of life decay,
    And destin'd to an early grave --
I've seen the aged fade away,
    And none could save.

Just such is life, 'tis but a dream,
    And all its scenes trifling jest!
There's nought but Fancy's childhood gleam
    To be possess'd.

But lo!, a shining Seraph comes!
    Hark! 'tis the voice of sacred Truth;
He smiles, and on his visage blooms,
    Eternal youth.

He speaks of things before untold,
    Reveals what man nor angels knew,
The secret pages now unfold
    To human view.

Now other scenes in prospect rise,
    Than those which darken passing by
Immortal triumphs -- social joys
    That never die.

Death's favored captives burst in twain,
    Their bond of union with the urn;
The lamp of life reviv'd again
    Will ever burn.     N.

Note 1: The above poetry was written by Eliza Roxey Snow and selected for publication by the Editor of the Western Courier, Lewis L. Rice. In confirmation of this, Mr. Rice wrote to Joseph Smith III, on March 28, 1885: "I knew Eliza R. Snow well; she was a poetic correspondent of mine when I published a paper at Ravenna, Ohio." Snow's fame as a Mormon poetess soon traveled as far west as New Orleans -- the Daily Picayune of July 4, 1839 says that she had "produced some beautiful poetry... her minor pieces are said to be perfect gems."

Note 2: According to Maureen U. Beecher, Eliza later changed her term "secret pages" to read "long seal'd pages," ("The Eliza Enigma" Dialogue, A Journal of Mormon Thought, XI:1 (Spring 1978); reprinted in Vicky Burgess-Olsen's Sister Saints, UT, 1978. See also Eliza R. Snow's 1885 "Sketch of My Life," holograph in the Bancroft Library.)

Note 3: Miss Snow's rather unusual poetic term "shining seraph" reappeared six years later, in a prayer given by Joseph Smith, Jr. for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836: "... help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise ..." (LDS Doctrine & Covenants 109:79). This portion of the 1836 Mormon prayer probably owes its unique composition to the hand of the Rev. Mr. Sidney Rigdon, or to the hand of Rigdon's disciple of pre-Mormon times, Miss Eliza Roxey Snow.

Note 4: Years later, in 1885, Eliza R. Snow recalled that "In the autumn of 1829" she had "heard of Joseph Smith as a Prophet to whom the Lord was speaking from the heavens; and that a Sacred Record containing a history of the origin of the aborigines of America, was unearthed..." Immediately before making this disclosure, Snow stated: "I was deeply interested in the study of the ancient Prophets, in which I was assisted by the erudite A. Campbell, Walter Scott whose acquaintance I made, but more particularly by Sidney Rigdon who was a frequent visitor at my father's house." According to Richard Van Wagoner (Sidney Rigdon, p. 55), "One early account, no doubt referred to by Hyde and Snow, appeared in the nearby Painesville Telegraph." The earliest account of the "Golden Bible" appearing in that newspaper was printed on Sept. 22, 1829. Snow's mention of the "autumn of 1829" account may well refer to that very newspaper article, but her "shining seraph" poem was published 7 months prior to the appearance of the Telegraph notice. Snow's near neighbor and fellow Ohio Campbellite, Orson Hyde, recalled having heard of the "Golden Bible," perhaps as early as 1827. Although Hyde's recollection was not so keen as to remember the precise date he first heard such "vague reports," the year was more likely 1828. At that period both Snow and Hyde were under the tutorial influence of the dissident Campbellite preacher, Sidney Rigdon, and near the end of the 1820s it is more than likely that the these three coreligionists were sharing the golden Bible news among themselves and with other close associates. According to other northern Ohio Campbellites, Such as Darwin Atwater and Adamson Bentley, the Rev. Sidney Rigdon was privately announcing this interesting news well before the "autumn of 1829."

Note 5:  While Beecher's question of how Snow could have heard "fully a year before its publication, of the book and its translator," may be answered by reference to Snow's reading of the newspapers after 1827, the Dialogue article writer's other question, "had she adopted the Campbellite hope of an angel coming to restore the true gospel?" is a significantly different matter. Other than Sidney Rigdon and his religious following in northern Ohio, very few "Cambellites" would have then been looking for angelic visitations, let alone the latter day unfolding of "secret pages" of lost scriptures. Such millennial expectations during the 1827-30 gestation of Mormonism, could much more appropriately be termed "Rigdonite" than "Campbellite." Snow's source for some of the ideas expressed in her 1829 poem was quite likely her religious mentor of that time, the Rev. Sidney Rigdon.

The Bible. -- It is stated in the English papers that a very interesting discovery has been made in Persia of the book of Jasher, mention[ed] in Joshua 10, which has been procured at a very great expense, having been preserved in that country since the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity. It is in this book where we shall find the particulars of Joshua commanding the sun to stand still upon Gibeon.

There are many interesting biblical discoveries yet to be made in Persia, for the Jews, after their seventy years captivity, left several of their sacred books in Persia, which no doubt were preserved by that portion of their brethren who were content with the administration of Cyrus, and preferred remaining in Babylon; in fact, the permission granted by that great monarch, and confirmed by Darius, permitting them to return to their native land, was so promptly accepted, that many religious works were left behind. We have at least eight or ten books referred to in the Bible: "Book of the Acts of Solomon," "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah," "Book of Samuel the seer," "Book of Nathan the prophet," "Book of Gad the seer," "Book of Shemish the prophet," "Book of Jehu."

The recovery of these books would throw great light upon many important facts, and explain points upon which there exists the most contradictory opinions.

We shall doubtless find many of the missing books in Persia, and no place more likely than Echatana, the ancient Shusan, the city in which the Jews enjoyed the greatest privileges after their escape from Haman, and we trust, that the discovery of the book of Jashur may be followed by unremitting efforts to procure the others.   Phil. Gaz.


Note: As things turned out the "Book of Jashur" which came to light during the 1830s (and translated into English years later by Major. M. M. Noah) was not the same book mentioned in the Bible. Had the discovery been an actual copy of a book once held scriptural by the Israelites or the Jews, the Christian churches would have faced quite a dilemma. The traditional reading of the last verses of the Book of The Revelation, at the end of the Christian Bible, was commonly interpreted to mean that the canon of scripture was closed. How should a scriptural book not included within the Christian canon be treated? At this very time the earliest Mormons were propounding roughly the same issue, by claiming to possess the text of an ancient scriptural book not included in the Jewish or Christian versions of the Bible.

MR. CAMPBELL  AND  MR. OWEN.

The public debate on the truth or falsity of Revealed Religion, appointed some months ago to be held in this place between these two gentlemen, in consequence of a challenge given by the latter and accepted by the former, commenced on Monday, the 13th inst, and was continued through the whole week. The audience attracted by the novelty of the scene and the notoriety of the disputants, was large and respectable. The Hon. Hudge Burnet, together with a bench of umpires, presided. The debate was conducted with great order & decorum throughout; with no other collision than that of abstract opinions, & the reasonings by which they were suported. -- The exact points to be argued had not been definitely settled between the parties of the [-----], the consequence was, there was scarcely any thing like fairly joining issue through the whole discussion. It was little more than an alternate leaving off and taking up again the chain of their respective arguments. Mr. O. being intent on displaying the superlative glories of the New Social System, and Mr. C. laboring with equal zeal to establish Christianity, which once proved true, his opponent's theory, and every other, is turned into a mere diting chimera. From the partial attendance we were able to give the sittings, making due allowance for partiality to the right side; we readily accord with the general opinion expressed, that Mr. Campbell had decidedly the advantage over his opponent & managed the defence of the Christian cause, in an able and interesting manner -- showing himself a skilful master of all the tactics of disputation. On the whole, we are not without hope that the controversy may be followed with good effects. The cause of revelation has been clearly shown to be supported by a vast body of conclusive evidence, internal, and external, and we are happy to be informed that more than one individual previously inclined to skepticism, or confirmed in it, have, during the discussion, had their doubts and difficulties entirely solved, and now express a full conviction of the truth of Christianity.

A short hand writer was employed to take down the debate, the whole of which will be published.
                Cincinnati Pandect.


Notes: (forthcoming)

ROBERT OWEN AND ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. -- We gave some time ago a short account of the dispute which took place lately between these 2 gentlemen at Cincinnati, as noticed in the Pandect, a very respectable Religious paper published in that city, in which the affair was represented as having terminated on the whole favourably to the general interests of christianity.

The last 'Ohio State Journal,' brings us a long account of the debate, filling four entire columns in that paper, taken from 'Flints Western Monthly Review for April 1829.' The Journal calls it an 'amusing account, and says that the Editor of the Review 'was one of the Umpires selected for the occasion.' V We have not much acquaintance with the 'Western Monthly Review,' but have seen it highly extolled by a certain class of periodicals in Eastern Cities, and had been led to think well of it as a tasteful literary work, designed chiefly to gratify the prevailing love of new and amusing things, but had formed no definite opinion of it as to its moral or religious character other than that it had little to do with either morality or Religion. But the account of the dispute by Mr. Flint himself, leaves us no alternative -- So far as that article may be considered characteristic, we are compelled to form an unfavorable opinion of the Review, and to rank it with that numerous class of publications in our country which are willing to amuse their readers at the expense of all moral and religious principles....


Notes: (forthcoming)

JEMIMA  WILKINSON.

This petticoated mis-leader of a band of lunatics from Rhode Island purchased a large and beautiful farm near Seneca Lake, N. Y. which is now in possession of one of her disciples called Aunt Esther: it is not far from Penn-Yan, (or Pennsylvania and Yankee town.) Aunt Esther holds fast to the globe, and will not sell a rod; her companions are 20 fawn colored cats. A late traveller relates one of Jemima's miracles, which is quite as convincing as those of the prince bishop Bohmlee. She announced her intention of walking across Seneca Lake, and alighting from her carriage, walked to the water on the white handkerchiefs strewed in the road by her followers; she stopped ankle deep into the water, and then turning to the multitude, inquired whether they had faith that she could not; on receiving an affirmative answer she returned to her carriage, declaring that as they believed in [her] power, it was unnecessary to display it. Jemima died some years ago.


Note 1: Thomas Hamilton picked up this same account, for inclusion on pp. 305-6 of vol. 2 of his 1833 book Men and Manners in America.

Note 2: Elements of Wilkinson's offer to walk on the water seem to have later become mixed up with the story of Joseph Smith, jr. Numerous old accounts have him making an unsuccessful attempt to walk across a pond or stream, in demonstration of his God-given powers. None of these stories can be well verified, however. A typical rendition may be found in the Campbellite Elder Jesse J. Moss's "Autobiography of a Pioneer Preacher," in the Christian Standard of Jan. 26, 1938: "This incident and another that took place at the same time put a stop to their angel visits... they went to the water to baptize at the close of an evening service, an angel appeared on the bank of the stream opposite the group and walked out on the water and stood viewing the scene. The next night they had some more to baptize and they announced beforehand that the angel would appear again and would speak to them. Some persons, suspecting a trick, examined the place and found a two-inch plank fixed in the manner of a spring board just beneath the surface of the water. They sawed the plank almost in two. Next evening when the angel walked out upon the water the plank gave way, there was a splash and a shriek as the angel's bright and shining glory was extinguished beneath the waves. It proved itself very much flesh and blood as it scrambled desperately to get to shore. The young men who sawed the board were lying in wait to catch the angel, but it escaped by jumping down a high bank and disappearing."

Note 3: Compare Elder Moss's Kirtland account with a similar story told at Colesville, New York, as related on page 154 of the 1880 History of Chenango County: "To convince the unbelievers that he did possess supernatural powers he announced that he would walk upon the water. The performance was to take place in the evening, and to the astonishment of unbelievers, he did walk upon the water where it was known to be several feet deep, only sinking a few inches below the surface. This proving a success, a second trial was announced which bid fair to be as successful as the first, but when he had proceeded some distance into the river he suddenly went down, greatly to the disgust of himself and proselytes, but to the great amusement of the unbelievers. It appeared on examination that planks were laid in the river a few inches below the surface, and some wicked boys had removed a plank which caused the prophet to go down like any other mortal." In an 1835 account the "reputed angel" on "the opposite side of the stream" turned out to be "the Mormon Prophet himself." Arthur B. Deming gathered up many such tales for his 1888 paper Naked Truths. The Rev. R. B. Neal also later explored these kinds of stories in his "Sword of Laban Leaflet" No. 17: "Did Joseph Smith Walk on Water?" As early as 1834, the Mormon press was refuting various news reports of Smith's alleged attempt to perform a miracle upon the water -- see the April 1834 issue of the Evening and Morning Star, as well as the Dec. 1835 issue of the Messenger and Advocate. These LDS refutations, however, do not mention the alleged earlier incident at Colesville, which may have been the precursor to all the "walking on the water" reports.

"Golden Bible." -- The Palmyra, Freeman says, the greatest piece of superstition that has ever come within our knowledge, now occupies the attention of a few individuals of this quarter. It is generally known and spoken of as the "Golden Bible." Its proselytes give the following account of it:  In the fall of 1827, a person by the name of Joseph Smith of Manchester, Ontario county, reported that he had been visited in a dream by the spirit of the Almighty, and informed that in a certain hill in that town, was deposited this Golden Bible, containing an ancient record of a divine nature and origin. After having been thrice thus visited, as he states he proceeded to the spot and after having penetrating "mother earth a short distance, the Bible was found together with a huge pair of spectacles! He had directed, however, not to let any mortal being examine them, under no less penalty than instant death! They were therefore nicely wrapped up and excluded from the vulgar gaze of poor wicked mortals!" It was said that the leaves of the bible were plates of gold about 8 inches long, 6 wide and one eighth of an inch thick, on which were engraved characters or hieroglyphicks by placing the spectacles in a hat, and looking into it, Smith could (he said so at least) interpret the characters. An account of this discovery was soon circulated. The subject was almost invariably treated as it should have been with contempt. A few however believed the "Golden" story, among whom was Martin Harris, an honest and industrious farmer of the town of Palmyra. So blindly enthusiastic was Harris, that he took some of the characters interpreted by Smith, and went in search of some one, besides the interpreter, who was learned enough to English them; but to all whom he applied (among the number was Professor Mitchell, of New York,) happened not to be possessed of sufficient knowledge to give satisfaction! Harris returned, and set Smith to work at interpreting the Bible. He has at length performed the task, and the work is soon to be put to press in Palmyra. Its language and doctrines are said to be far superior to the book of life!


Note 1: The above report is a shortened version of the original Jonathan A. Hadley Palmyra Freeman article. See the Aug. 27, 1829 issue of the Niagara Courier for the full version.

Note 2: This is thought to have been the first mention of "Joseph Smith of Manchester," the "ancient record of a divine nature and origin, and the "plates of gold" in an Ohio newspaper. However, the editor, Mr. Eber D. Howe of Painesville, tells the readers of the Nov. 16, 1830 issue of his paper, that "Some two or three years since, an account was given in the papers, of a book purporting to contain new revelations from Heaven, having been dug out of the ground, in Manchester in Ontario County, N. Y." Although Howe did not specifically say that he had printed such a notice in an issue of the Telegraph back in 1827-28, his mention of the divine "book" being "dug out of the ground" hints at the possibility that Howe reprinted the notice from a western NY newspaper. No such news item has yet been located among the Telegraph articles of 1827 or 1828.

Note 3: It is supposed that the "Rigdonites" of northern Ohio took some notice of this article. Eliza R. Snow and Orson Hyde probably saw it, as would have "restorationist" religious enthusiasts like Elders Parley P. Pratt and Sidney Rigdon.

Note 4: For subsequent issues of the Painesville Telegraph dealing with the Mormons, see the index of articles for that paper, as well as other articles, beginning with Nov. 6, 1822

'THE  MILLENNIAL  HARBINGER.'

Proposals are issued by Alexander Campbell, for publishing a monthly paper by the above title. It is to have for its object, "the development and introduction of that political and religious order of society called the Millennium, which will be the consummation of the ultimate amelioration of society proposed in the Christian Scriptures. Subservient to this object, he is going to show among other things, "the incompatibility of any sectarian establishment now known on earth, with the genius of the glorious age to come." He is going to "disentangle the Scriptures from commentaries and system-makers of the dark ages," and give "regular details of the movements of the religious combinations, acting under the influence of the proselyting spirit of the age; and notices of all things universal of the Ancient Gospel, and the restoration of the ancient order of things." He is also, going to show the inadequecy of all present present systems of education, literary and moral, to develop the powers of the human mind, and prepare man for rational and social happiness."

Had not our relation to the public, necessarily brought us into some acquaintance with the Christian Baptist, edited by Mr. Campbell, his present Proposals would have excited in us no uncommon apprehensions. But the knowledge we have of his former writings, obliges us to stand in doubt of the forth coming work. The stand which has been taken, and obstinately persisted in, by the Christian Baptist, against the received doctrines of Christianity, and the leading benevolent institutions of the age, together with the means resorted to by the Editor to carry his points, leave us in little doubt respecting the nature and tendency of the Millennial Harbinger.

That it will be sufficiently talented and learned, and prosecuted with great industry, no fears are entertained. But having seen the same talents, learning and industry employed in labored sophisms, cutting sarcasms, pointed ridicule, and even vulgar wit, to discredit in the esteem of community, those Christian enterprizes which shed so much lustre on the present age, and lay the foundation of hope to future generations, we do not flatter ourselves, and dare not flatter the public, with the hope, that the interests of politics, morality, religion, education, social order, or any thing else that goes to the benefit of the world at large, will derive any important aid from the promised periodical. If the sentiment now expressed be captious, or sectarian, or arbitrary, or prompted by any unkind feelings toward Mr. Campbell, we are unable to detect such motives. Throughly convinced, as we are, that the Christian Baptist, so far as it has had any influence at all on the religious portion of the community, has been decidedly hostile to evangelical truth and piety; and that so far as it has had [influence] on the irreligious, it has tended to confirm the unbeliever in his doubts, establish the infidel in his chosen sentiments, and even encourage the scoffer at divine things, in his way to death, -- we feel not only prompted, but urged by a sense of duty, to speak thus in regard to it, that the public may be able to judge of other streams flowing from the same fountain, ere they unwarily [taste], and become infected. It is asked why we indulge so unfavorable an opinion of Mr. Campbell's writings? We answer: -- Look at the Baptist Church in this part of the country. It has been thrown into the greatest confusion, torn and lacerated to the bone -- divided and subdivided, and is now bleeding at every pore, under the influence of Mr. Campbell and his Christian Baptist, to "proclaim the Ancient Gospel, and restore the Ancient Order of things!" It would not be difficult to give a catalogue of churches of this denomination particularly, once respectable and prosperous, and exerting a happy influence on society around them, which are now involved in bitter contention, separating, and expelling one another from Christian privileges. This is "restoring the Ancient Order of things" with a witness. The less the world have of it, the better, in our opinion.

But this is not the worst feature in the picture. Mr. Campbell's proselytes have become considerably numerous, and go from place to place, exploding the old-fashioned way of commencing and continuing a Christian life, by faith and repentance, and a godly conversation, and substituting for it their newly discovered way, which is simply to be baptized. Thus hundreds are led into the water, dipped, and led out again, good Christians in their own estimation, and in that of their teachers; and are made honestly to believe that their salvation is secured to them by virtue of this external rite; by which, God has pledged himself unconditionally, as they say, to give the Holy Spirit to them that are baptized, by which they will of course be sanctified, and prepared for heaven. Nominal Christians of this sort, have been greatly multiplied by the followers of Mr. Campbell and his books -- the restorers of the ancient order of things. No scattering of real Christians can amount to a calamity equal to the effects of so strange a delusion.

If these efforts resulted in any sort of improvements in society, there would be in them, so far, a redeeming quality. But, according to the extent of our observation and knowledge, the fact is quite otherwise. In those places where the restorers have been most successful, Sabbath Schools are banished, and the Sabbath itself virtually abolished; and all Bibles, Tracts and Missionary efforts are hooted at as ridiculous, or maligned as wicked combinations to enslave the world. It was a very distinguished preacher of this sort, who, a short time since, while proclaiming the Ancient Gospel, and laboring to restore the ancient order of things, declared in reference to Bible and Tract distributors, that whenever he saw a man going about the country with his saddlebags full of bibles and tracts, he set him down at once, as a damnable heretic, disseminating damnable lies, written by damnable liars.

But the misery and mischief of the business is, that these men are followed by a multitude who receive such things as good Ancient Gospel, and well calculated to restore the ancient order of things. The same men hold themselves ready to elist, and act well their part, in carrying forward all schemes of opposition to Temperance Societies, Sabbath Schools, &c. The 'Christian Baptist' is their text book, which supplies them with an abundance of sayings as decent as the one just mentioned. It is also their test book, by which they try, not only the principles of Orthodoxy, but the Prophets and Apostles. Whatever agrees not thereto, is at once condemned as modern, and not meet to be used in "restoring the ancient order of things." Brought to this test, such men as Edwards, and Dwight, and Davis, Owen, Newton, Scott, and Chalmers, are found mere children in knowledge; -- and as most or all of them have been distinguished for their zeal in the Bible cause, and have been guilty of writing as well as distributing Tracys, they inevitably fall under the condemnation of "damnable heretics," and damnable liars."

Mr. Campbell is the Sun of this new system of proclaiming the Ancient Gospel, and restoring the Ancient Order of things. The men alluded to, are only his moons, and reflecting their borrowed light as they move in their orbits. If the Millennial Harbinger shall exceed in brilliancy, the Christian Baptist, in proportion to the increased energies which Mr. Campbell promises to devote to it, his moons must become almost Suns: and as they move in all directions, what can be expected<, but that our part of the country is to be deluged with a flood of light, before which all former lights are to fade into darkness; and all existing systems of education and religion, melt away like mountain fogs, before the rising glory of the Ancient Order of things.

But the most remarkable exploit to be achieved by Mr. Campbell in his new work, is, to show the the "incompatibility of any sectarian establishment now known on earth, with the genius of the glorius age to come" -- the Millennium. Alas! Alas! The Sect, then, which Mr. Campbell has been laboring to establish for many years, and at the head of which he stands in all the magnificence of a leader, is to turn out in the end, as imbecile and nugatory as all others, and share the same fate. The Harbinger, in its ample sweep, will first show the "incompatibility" of Campbellism with the genius of the coming Millennium, and then give it to the winds and oblivion.

We never had, for our own part, suspected Mr. Campbell's system, of being liable to any more enviable termination; but did not expect so soon to see the creator of it, turn his hand, and destroy his own work. So far as he is successful in this part of his undertaking, he will certainly do good, and every well-wisher to mankind may say him "God speed."

But we are concerned also for the system of literary and moral education, which has been hitherto adopted and used by Mr. Campbell in his Theological school at Bethany -- What is to become of that? It is one of "the present systems" ALL of which are to be shown "inadequate" to the development of the powers of the human mind, and to prepare man for national and social happiness," and, therefore, good for nothing. Alas! Alas! Will Mr. Campbell hustle it off with those of Princeton and Andover; and tumble it, with them, into the common grave of systems? This will be a huge step indeed towards "restoring the ancient order of things."

But whatever Mr. Campbell may do, or fail to do in getting up his Harbinger, he will not fail to erect for himself a broad arena, on which to display, to the best advantage, the talents, the forensic talents he possesses, and levy a new contribution upon the boasted number of his readers. The "Christian Baptist," has been very acceptable to a considerable number of professed baptists -- to very many Deists, universalists, anti-unitarians, and anti-Sabbath, & anti-temperance men; and to a great many nothingarians, who prize the work as a respository of brightly burnished arms, with which to combat the progress of the received Christian Scriptures, and all existing institutions which have for their object, what Mr. Campbell professes to aim at, namely, the "consummation of the ultimate amelioration of Society." -- These classes make up a large number in community, and as the work has been popular with them, it has been the means of increasing, perhaps equally, Mr. Campbell's wealth and fame. He has Piped long, and well, for this motly multitude, and they have danced well, and paid him well. And now, that they have got warm, he proposes to change the tune, raise his price, and pipe on. As Mr. Campbell is a master performer, and perfectly acquainted with the powers of his instrument; he will doubtless adapt a tune to their liking; and they will in turn, with equal cheerfulness, exhaust their breath in praises, and their pockets in pay; while Mr. Campbell is chuckling behind the scene, to see what great fools he has made them; and how readily they douse him with a salary of some thousands a year for teaching them to hate salaries, and those who either pay or receive them, for any religious or benevolent service, except "proclaiming the ancient gospel, and restoring the ancient order of things,"

We recollect, that in an early number of the Christian Baptist, Mr. Campbell was pleased to ridicule Ministers of the Gospel, who "live of the Gospel" and all the patrons of charitable & benevolent institutions, in an adopted sermon, under the title of "MILKING THE GOATS," or something like it. We have in justice to Mr. Campbell called it an adopted sermon, presuming that he was not the author of it, as the same, or one very like it, had been shown us in manuscript, by a poor drunken creature long before it appeared in the Christian Baptist. The owner carried it with him, as he reeled from grog-shop to grog-shop, and read it many times a day to his companions, much to their edfication. Now, whosoever wishes to see goats milked on a large scale, and in fine style, has only to look into the operations of Mr. Campbell. He seems to be doing it to purpose.

But, Mr. Campbell says in his prospectus, that besides the learning of the ancient fathers, he expects to derive much aid from a few of the more enlightened brethren of our own time, who are fellow laborers and pioneers with him, in hastening the restoration of the ancient order of things. It is known that the infidel publications that disgrace our times, such as "REFORMER, GOSPEL ADVOCATE, PLAIN TUTH &c. were received as coadjutors in the work of giving the Christian Baptist to the world. -- As the Harbinger is to be the great light, it may be supposed that the Editor will call to his aid also the new publication of PRIESTCRAFT UNMASKED

Note 1: The Western Intelligencer commenced publication at Hudson, Ohio, in July of 1827, at just about the time that Sidney Rigdon was moving his family from nearby Bainbridge township, to Mentor. Located a mere 20 miles southwest of Rigdon's Bainbridge cabin, Editor Randolph Stone's Intelligencer was the newspaper published closest to the radical Campbellite preacher's home base on the boundary of Geauga and Portage counties -- Ravenna, where L. L. Rice's Western Courier was printed, was a couple of miles farther away. It goes without saying, then, that Sidney Rigdon was the nearest active Campbellite minister when the Western Intelligencer began at Hudson, and Rigdon continued to frequent the region just east of Hudson for several years thereafter. Stone's experience with local Campbellites would have necessarily overlapped significently with Rigdon's ecclesiastical activities in that same area.

Note 2: See the Christian Baptist of Jan. 4, 1830 for Alexander Campbell's response to Mr. Stone.

Mrs. Lucinda Morgan. -- The following letter from Mrs. Morgan, the widow of the martyred victim of masonic vengeance, acknowledging the receipt of a handsome donation, which had been raised principally through the exertions of the publisher of the Boston Free Press, will be read with interest.

                                            Batavia, N. Y., Feb. 1st, 1830.
FREDERICK A. SUMNER, Esq.

Sir. -- The liberal donation obtained through your efficient exertions, amounting to Fifty Dollars, was presented to me by George W. Harris, of this village, last week. For which you will, Sir, please accept my sincere thanks, as well in your own behalf as in the behalf of those who, in conjunction with yourself, have so munificently contributed to the alleviation of a bereaved widow and her helpless children.

If, Sir, any thing could comfort the widow in her affliction, that a generous sympathizing Christian communication could bestow, comfort would be mine: for though I am destitute of property and bereaved of him to whom I was accustomed to look for support for myself and my infant children, by a merciless and cruel institution; though the tongue of calumny has not been idle, and though every means have been employed to render wretched and miserable the few days I may be permitted to spend on earth, yet through the protection of the widow's God, him who has said. I will be a father to the fatherless, I am not forgotten but remembered by those who have hearts to feel, and can fully appreciate my necessitous situation.

These, Sir, are my reflections, which when meditating upon my own helpless condition, and the more helpless condition of my children, operate as a balm to my lacerated heart, and serve to reconcile me to drink with patience the bitter cup of which cruel men have so unkindly doomed me to drink, believing that my bereavement, though to me, indeed severe, will contribute to the happiness of the present, as well as future generations, in the total eradication of false Free Masonry.
              Yours, Sir, I am respectfully,
                        LUCINDA MORGAN.


Note 1: This letter was published in numerous anti-Masonic papers, including the Norwich Anti-Masonic Telegraph and the Penn-Yan Yates Republican, both on Feb. 24, 1830. Subsequent issues of the Ohio Star featured additional news on Lucinda Morgan. The Star's editor was Lewis L. Rice, who later came to possess the Oberlin Spalding manuscript.

Note 2: According to Todd Compton's 2001 In Sacred Loneliness, Lucinda Pendleton Morgan (b. 1801) became the plural wife of Joseph Smith, jr., at Far West in February or March of 1838. Compton does not give the date of her death, but some reports say that she passed away in 1856, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lucinda Wesley Smith.

Note 3: Oliver Cowdery was said to have once served as a helper to Lucinda's first husband, William Morgan: ("He (Cowdery), was strong against the Masons; he helped to write Morgan's book, they said.") -- and Lucinda herself admitted in 1826 that William Morgan employed the services of just such a scribal helper: ("a person who some times assisted her husband by copying or taking down as he dictated to him.") Oliver Cowdery's brother and relatives lived in close proximity to the Morgan family, at the time of William's mysterious disappearance and there is no reason to doubt that Oliver himself was a resident (or at least a frequent traveler) in that section of the country. Another account. given by the Masonic historian of the Morgan Affair, Dr. Rob Morris, wrote in 1883 that Morgan "had been a half way convert of Joe Smith, the Mormon, and had learned from him to see visions and dreams." By this Morris meant to say that William Morgan was a partial convert to the magical pretensions of Joseph Smith, jr., prior to the advent of Mormonism. Another interesting report says that Morgan (who was a Welsh ancestry) wrote an ancient pseudo-history of the Americas, based upon the Prince Madoc tales. None of these last three assertions has ever been verified.

BLASPHEMY -- "BOOK OF MORMON,"
alias THE GOLDEN BIBLE.

The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy and credulity shocking to the christian and moralist. The "author and proprietor" is one "Joseph Smith, Jr.," -- a fellow who, by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a farmer of Wayne county, that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3,000 which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of this blasphemous work. The volume consists of about six hundred pages, and is divided into books of Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of Ether, and of Helaman. "Copy right secured!" The style of the work may be conjectured from the "preface" & "testimonials" which we subjoin. --     Roch. Rep.

PREFACE.

To the reader --
As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the work, I would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again -- and being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words, that they did read contrary from that which I translated & cause to be written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they might not receive this work: but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing; therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that which ye have translated, which ye have retained; and behold ye shall publish it as the record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. -- I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil. Wherefore, to be obedient to the commandments of God, I have, through his grace and mercy, accomplished that which he hath commanded me respecting this thing. I would also inform you that the plates of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of Manchester, Ontario county, New York.

        THE AUTHOR.

THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES..

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, his brethren, and also of the people of Jared, which came from the tower, of which hath been spoken, and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates; and the engravings thereon; & we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvellous in our eyes: Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen. David Whitmer,
Oliver Cowdery,
Martin Harris.

AND ALSO THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES.

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jr., the Author and Proprietor of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record, with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety, that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen: and we lie not, God bearing witness of it.

Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr. John Whitmer.

Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sr. Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith.

Notes: (forthcoming)

Silly Fanaticism:-- A work has recently been published in the western part of the state of New York, entitled Book of Mormon, or the Golden Bible. The author is Joseph Smith, Jr. The work contains about six hundred pages, and is divided into the book of Mormon, of Ether, and of Helaman. -- The Rochester Daily Advertiser contains the preface and two letters signed by eleven individuals, setting forth the existence of the work and the existence of the original "plates" of gold, on which the contents of the volume were engraved, in a language which the translator was taught by inspiration. It seems one book, that of Lehi, was translated and stolen -- the translator was commanded never again to translate the same over. We subjoin with some hesitancy, one of the certificates, which smacks pretty strongly of what once would have been called blasphemy.

The testimony of three witnesses. -- Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, his brethren, and also of the people of Jared, which came from the tower, of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety, that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates, and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man.

And we declare with words of soberness that an Angel of God came down from Heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates; and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvellous in our eyes -- Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son and the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen. DAVID WHITMER,   
OLIVAR COWDERY,     
MARTIN HARRIS. The other certificate declares that the plates, said to have been found in Manchester, Ontario county, N. Y. had the appearance of gold, and bore the marks of ancient and curious workmanship.     U. S. Gazette.


Notes: (forthcoming)

A fellow by the name of Joseph Smith, who resides in the upper part of Susquehanna county, has been, for the last two years we are told, employed in dedicating as he says, by inspiration, a new bible. He pretended that he had been entrusted by God with a golden bible which had been always hidden from the world. Smith would put his face into a hat in which he had a white stone, and pretend to read from it, while his coadjutor transcribed. The book purports to give an account of the "Ten Tribes" and strange as it may seem, there are some who have full faith in his Divine commission. The book it seems is now published. We extract the following from the Rochester Republican.    Wayne Co. Inq.

BLASPHEMY. -- "Book of Mormon" alias The Golden Bible. -- The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy, and credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The "author and proprietor is one Joseph Smith, Jr.," a fellow who, by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a farmer of Wayne county, that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3,000 which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of this blasphemous work. The volume consists of about 600 pages, and is divided into books of Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of Ether, and of Helaman. "Copy right secured."


Notes: (forthcoming)

NEW UNION LINE OF MAIL COACHES.

THROUGH From Fairport mouth of Grand River, O. and from Ashtabula to Wheeling, Va. in 2 days. From Erie, Pa. to Wheeling in 2 1/4 days.

The Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania Stage Company inform the publick that they have recently established a new and complete Daily Line of Mail Coaches, in connection with the Daily Line of Lake Erie Steam Boats, from Fairport, Ohio, at the mouth of Grand River, on Lake Erie, by Painesville, Chardon, Parkman, Warren, Canfield, N. Lisbon, Wellsville, Steubenville, Wellsburgh, Va. to Wheeling, Va., leaving Fairport every morning from 8 to 10 o'clock, or soon after the arrival of the Steam Boats from Buffalo and Detroit, and the Stages from Cleveland; and arrive at Warren from 8 to 10 P. M. and at New Lisbon the next morning to breakfast; at Wellsville on the Ohio by 12 [A.] M. and at Steubenville by 6 P. M., where passengers will rest over night, and arrive in Wheeling the next day by 9 A. M.

Leaves Ashtabula every morning after the arrival of the Steam Boat from Buffalo, and the Erie and Cleaveland Stages from Erie, passing through Austinburgh, Morgan and Bloomfield to Warren, where it connects with the above Line to Wheeling, and also with another Line to Pittsburgh...

Rufus S. Reed, Erie, Pa.
H. J. Rees, Ashtabula, O.
John P. Converse, Parkman, O.
J. L. Van Gorder, Warren, O.
D. Watson, New Lisbon, O.
J. Feehan, Wellesville, Va.
J. Jenkinson, Steubenville, O.
O. J. Gardiner, J. C. Campbell, D. Brown, Wellsburgh, Va.,
PROPRIETORS. Seats taken at the Mansion House, Erie, Pa.; at the Stage House, at A. Cable's Steam Boat Hotel, Fairport; at J. L. Van Gorder's Warren Hotel, Warren; at D. Watson's, N. Lisbon; at J. Feehun's, Wellsville; at J. Jackinson's, Steubenville; at J. Gardiner's, Wellsburgh, Va.; and at the General Stage Office, Wheeling.

June 1, 1830.


Note 1: The above advertisement merely announces the updating and expansion of one of the several stage lines already running from northern Ohio to the east and southeast during the late 1820s. In August of 1828, when he traveled to attend the annual meeting of the Mahoning Association, the Rev. Sidney Rigdon might easily have picked up his coach ticket at the Steam Boat Hotel, in Fairport (just north of his home at Mentor, Ohio) at eight in the morning and by ten at night on that same date, disembarked at James L. Van Gorder's Warren Hotel (later the "Castle William") in Warren, Ohio (where the Association's meeting was held that year).

Note 2: In the past some Mormon apologists have argued that Sidney Rigdon could not possibly have traveled so far afield as New York State in less time than several weeks. However, after 1825, Rigdon could have taken advantage of rapid transit by lake steamer, canal boat, and stage coach to have journeyed from Mentor to practically anywhere short of Albany in well under a week. Of course, the lake steamers did not run in the winter and canal-sleds were not a dependable means of transport -- but stages (sometimes mounted on snow-runners) often made better time on the hard winter roads than they did through the summer mud. Clearly Sidney Rigdon could have easily made a round-trip journey from Mentor, Ohio to Palmyra, New York (or to his relatives' home near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) in less than a full week, both winter and summer.

CELEBRATION AT BAINBRIDGE.
                      Communicated.

We are requested to state that the Rev. Mr. RIGDON, will preach at the Town House in this Borough, on Friday evening next, at early candle-lighting. Mr. Rigdon is a Campbellite.

Note 1: The above advertisement is an interesting one in two respects. First of all, early reports indicate that the Rev. Sidney Rigdon openly broke with Alexander Campbell and his followers at Austintown, Ohio, in August of 1830. Subsequently Rigdon could not well be called a "Campbellite." In fact, his own group (including Parley P. Pratt, Orson Hyde, etc.) were at this time often called "Rigdonites." Furthermore, Rigdon is said to have quit preaching and gone back to farming during the late summer of 1830. It seems a bit strange that Rev. Rigdon was advertised as being a preacher of Campbellism, in the northern Ohio newspapers, during this period.

Note 2: The advertisement is of interest, secondly, in that it places Sidney Rigdon in or around Ashtabula, Ohio on Friday, Oct. 22, 1830, less than a week before the "Four Missionaries to the Lamanites" reportedly arrived at Rigdon's Mentor home on Oct. 28th. Editor William Perkins reported in his Painesville Geauga Gazette that the Mormon missionaries arrived "in our village, laden with a new revelation, which they claim to be a codicil to the New Testament. They preached in the Methodist Chapel, and from certain indications, conceiving the might do more good otherwheres, departed for Kirtland, where is a common stock family, under the charge of Elder Rigdon, a Campbellite leader of some notoriety." Henry Harrison Clapp, an eye-witness, said in 1879, that "The four Mormons came to Mr. Rigdon's Wednesday evening (I think). Then Thursday morning he came to my father's with the wondrous announcement [of the Mormon revelation]... Some of the Mormon emissaries went to Kirtland, two or three miles distant that day (Thursday) and directly baptized the 'common stock family' at Morely's who were members of Rigdon's church." Eber D. Howe's Painesville Telegraph described the scene thusly in his issue of Nov. 16, 1830: "About two weeks since some persons came along here with the book, one of whom pretends to have seen Angels... The name of the person here, who pretends to have a divine mission, and to have seen and conversed with Angels, is Cowdray [sic]..." Although Howe does not say exactly when it was that "some persons" visited Painesville with the Mormon revelation, his version of the story would allow for three or four of the LDS company to have initially visited Painesville, as late as Oct. 26th or 27th , before proceeding on to Rigdon's home in Mentor. If Rigdon preached in Ashtabula on the evening of the 22nd, stayed for the night, and then returned to the Painesville-Mentor area on the 23rd or 24th (in time for Sunday services), he may well have traveled the same road, going in the same direction, as the four Mormon missionaries -- and, at about the same time. This is most a intriguing coincidence.

EGYPTIAN  HIEROGLYPHICS.
                      Communicated.

SYNOD  --Missionary Society.

On Thursday evening the Domestic Missionary Siciety of the Western Reserve, held its fourth annual Meeting. After prayer by the President, the reports were read, and several animated addresses were delivered....

The Rev. Ansel R. Clark said, that the congregations within the bounds of the Synod, were able to do much ,ore than they had ever yet done towards supporting the gospel among themselves.... Pass through the Reserve, and see how bountiful heaven has been to its inhabitants. And we have abundant evidence that they are ready to meet the call. Look at the results of the operations of the Education Society. Nowhere have I met with individuals, who were willing to make greater sacrifices to promote benevolent objects.... And as a motive to immediate to immedoate action, let us look around and see what the enemy is doing. The vilest productions of infidelity are industriously circulated all over the Reserve. Not long since he had met with a pamphlet, entitled -- "The Third Epistle of Peter." And shall not Christians awake? What are we living for? We must aim at great things...


Note: Possibly the "pamphlet" referred to above was an offprint, excerpted from Alexander Campbell's Christian Baptist of Dec. 1, 1827. If not, then the writer may have misquoted the title. An "infidel" pamphlet of 20 pages, entitled "The Third General Epistle of Peter, to the Rulers of the Visible Church" was written (by Quakers?) and put into circulation by the Franklin Press of Philadelphia between 1827 and 1832. The textual dependence of this later title, upon Campbell's earlier anti-clerical parody is uncertain. The Christian Baptist version was only a few pages in length, and was itself a slight enlargement of a biblical pastiche crafted by Walter Scott and/or Sidney Rigdon, for their Pittsburgh "Church of Christ's" only known publication, in 1824.

Campbellism. -- The Kentucky Georgetown Chronicle says, 'By an almost simultaneous movement throughout this State, this religious mania appears to be discountenanced and rejected by the Baptist denimination. It evidently begins to wane, with very visible retrograde movements. Indeed, wherever its strength has been measured, the number of its advocates has been found to be far less than was anticipated. Its peculiar features are now generally understood, and this is all that is wanting with those who have experienced vital religion. Its amalgamation with Arianism seems to be almost certain. At Maylick, as we are informed by the best authority, the Arians and Campbellites have repeatedly communed together, on the special invitation of old Mr. Campbell, the father of Alexander, of Bethany.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  GOLDEN  BIBLE

We should be slow to believe that any set of men would accept to play off upon the community, so barefaced a deception as that which our correspondent speaks; and equally slow to believe, that any could be found so credulous as to be duped and led astray by it, -- did we not know, that men are the same depraved beings that ever they were; did we not know, that it is a crime which Heaven has laid to the charge of our fallen race, that they "seek out many inventions" -- that "they go astray as soon as they be born speaking lies." While unruly passion sways the empire of the heart, and guilt draws its film over the moral vision, and a cloud of ignorance darkens the intellect, it would be strange if men should go straight forward in the narrow path. It would be strange if, in their bewilderment, they did not listen to the cry, "lo here, and lo there." So it has been in all ages of the world -- and so it will continue to be, until the minds of men are enlightened, and their hearts warmed by the rays of the Sun of Righteousness.

Since commencing this article, we have received information, which goes to corroborate the statements made in the communication of our correspondent, and also furnishes several additional particulars. The Elder referred to, is the famous Campbellite leader, who has made so much noise on the Reserve for a few months past. He has finally concluded to receive the new Revelation, and has actually been baptized, (now for the third time.) "The common stock family" mentioned in the communication, is a club of Campbellites, who have all things common. It is said that they hold their meetings till late at night, and afterwards retire to the river, and baptize by the score. They profess to have the power of working miracles. Having given out that they would perform a miraculous cure upon a person who was sick, an assembly collected to witness the experiment, when lo, there was a want of faith, and until this difficulty could be removed, the miracles must remain unwrought; -- the old lady continues sick to this day. They are now on their way to the Western Indians, for whose benefit the new Revelation was especially designed. The Indians, as fast as they are converted are to become white men. This is one of the absurdities which have been broached, and we see in it the finger of an overruling Providence. The sagacious Indian, when he sees, that in spite of their incantations, he is an Indian still, will not suffer himself to be any further befooled.

---

THE GOLDEN BIBLE, or, Campbellism Improved.

Mr. Isham. -- For several days past, four individuals, said to have formerly resided in the State of New-York, have appeared in the northern part of Geauga County, assuming the appellation of Disciples, Prophets, and Angels. Some among us, however, are led to believe that they are nothing more than men, and impostors. They are preaching and teaching a species of Religion we are not all prepared to embrace; for we are convinced it does not accord with our old-fashioned Bible.

These men have brought with them copies of a Book, known in this region by the name of the "Golden Bible," or, as it is learned on its title-page, "The Book of Mormon." They solemnly affirm, that its contents were given by Divine inspiration; was written by prophets of the Most High from a period of 600 years before, to that of some hundred years after our blessed Saviour's advent; was deposited by Divine command below the surface of the ground, in or near the township of Palmyra, Ontario Co., N. Y., that an Angel appeared to a certain Joseph Smith residing in that place, who, they say, was a poor, ignorant, illiterate man, and made no pretensions to religion of any kind; -- ... [section of text illegible] ... of this sacred deposit, and directed him forthwith to dig up and bring to light this precious record and prophecy. They affirm that the said Smith obeyed the heavenly messenger, when lo! a new Revelation -- the Golden Bible was discovered!

According to the narrative given by one of these disciples -- Oliver Cowdery -- at their late exhibition in Kirtland, this pretended Revelation was written on golden plates, or something resembling golden plates, of the thickness of tin -- 7 inches in length, 6 inches in breadth, and a pile about 6 inches deep. None among the most learned in the United States could read, and interpret the hand-writing, (save one, and he could decipher but a few lines correctly,) excepting this ignoramus, Joseph Smith, Jr. To him, they say, was given the spirit of writing, he employed this Oliver Cowdery and others to write, while he read, interpreted, and translated this mighty Revelation.

It appears from the testimony of these men, that while this process was going on, some of their mischievous, meddlesome neighbors, having a miserly disposition, stole some of their plates of gold before they gave them sufficient time to translate them, and as they have not yet been recovered, they fear a part of this great Revelation will be lost to our race. There were other plates among them, they say, which contained secrets from them by some mysterious dispensation of Providence, they know not how, or in what region they are secreted, but as they are to be forthcoming at the proper time, to some future generation, they appear to manifest no particular uneasiness with regard to them.

To convince the world that this record and prophecy is a Divine Revelation, three men, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, have subscribed their names to an article in this "Book of Mormon," solemnly declaring that they saw an Angel come down from heaven, who showed them those plates, and made known to them it was given by inspiration, and "they know of a surety it is true," &c. &c.

This new Revelation, they say is especially designed for the benefit, or rather for the christianizing of the Aborigines of America; who, as they affirm, are a part of the tribe of Manasseh, and whose ancestors landed on the coast of Chili 600 years before the coming of Christ, and from them descended all the Indians of America.

You are, perhaps, by this time ready to say, Surely this great hue and cry about a book of this character, in unworthy of public notice; none possessed of the holy Scriptures, will be found so weak as to be led to embrace this delusion. But sir, could you but see the multitude that follow those pretended Disciples, and know the number they have baptized each night, (many of whom 'tis said have now been immersed for the third time;) were you to be informed, that a certain Elder hesitated in deciding whether to reject or receive the new Revelation, and that the "social Union," or as it is more familiarly called in its vicinity, the "common stock family," have gone into the water again in token of embracing it; and consider that their great object in bending their way to the West is to convert the Indians to the new faith, among many of whose tribes Christian Missionaries are faithfully, and through the blessing of God, successfully laboring, -- I say in view of this -- in view of the worth of souls, liable to be deluded and lost, will you not as a Herald of the Cross of Christ, raise the note of alarm, in your widely circulating paper?

I take the liberty of sending you a Chapter in the new Bible. Though it be called a new Revelation, you will perceive, whoever the author may have been, that it is the same that is held forth by a certain denomination which has sprung up in our day. It is maintained that this is not a new Gospel, but that it explains the New Testament.       Yours, &c.       A. S.

2d. Book of Nephi, Chap. 12th.

And now, I, Nephi, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my beloved brethren. And I cannot write but a few things which I know must surely come to pass, neither can I write but a few words of my brother Jacob. Wherefore, the things which I have written, sufficeth me, save it be a few words concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying. For my soul delighteth in plainness: for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding: for he speaketh to their language, unto their understanding.

Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you, concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.

And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water.

And now I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men, that according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping the commandments; wherefore after that he was baptized with water, the holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again: it sheweth unto the children of men the straitness of the path and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he hath set the example before them.

And he saith unto the children of men, Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus, save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? And the Father saith, Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my beloved Son. And also, the voice of the Son came unto me saying, He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism; yea, by following your Lord and Saviour down into the water, according to his word; behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongues of Angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.  *  *  * --- and after this, should deny me, it would have been better for you, that ye had not known me.

 *  *  * for the gate by which ye should enter, is repentance, and baptism by water, and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire, and the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path ---- yea, ye have entered in by the Gate.



Note: Rev. Warren Isham is not the only writer who has thought of Mormonism as being "Cambellism Improved." In his 1996 Biography of Sidney Rigdon, Richard Van Wagoner says, on page 61: "Although they did not know it at the time, Rigdon and other Reformers had prepared Ohio for the Mormons. Prominent Mormon historian B. H. Roberts considered the Disciples forerunners of the Mormon gospel, regarding Campbell and Scott (like Rigdon) as having been 'sent forth to prepare the way.'" According to L. L. Rice (reprinted in the Painesville Telegraph of Jan. 17, 1832) Joseph Smith was even more specific, concerning this "Cambellism Improved," when addressing Rigdon with a divine (?) communication on Dec. 7, 1831: "I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works; I have heard thy prayers... thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and Elijah which should come, and thou knew it not." Charles A. Shook once commented upon this very passage, saying: "Nearly all Gentiles will agree with the Mormons that Sidney prepared the way before the Mormon delusion, but when it comes to the statement that he knew it not, it is quite another thing."

"The Golden Bible." -- Yes, reader strange as it may appear, there is a new Bible just published, entitled the "Book of Mormon," and better known to some as the Golden Bible. We have no doubt many will be shocked to learn there are those sacrilegious enough to contend that a new bible has been given to the children of men. But it is even so, for we have lately purchased one for the gratification of our curiosity, which was rather excited on learning that its doctrines were taught and believed in this and the adjoining counties.

We have not read it in course, but have perused it sufficiently to be convinced it is one of the veriest impositions of the day. The following is from the title page

THE BOOK OF MORMON:

An account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi.

Wherefore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way the commandment, and also by the spirit of Prophesy and of Revelation. Written, and sealed up, and hid up unto the LORD, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of GOD;, unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the LORD, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of GOD; an abridgement taken from the Book of Ether.

Also, which is a Record of the People of Jared, which were scattered at the time the LORD confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven: which is to shew unto the remnant of the House of Israel how great things the LORD hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the LORD, that they are not cast off forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD;, manifesting Himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of men; wherefore condemn not the things of GOD;, that ye may be found spotless at the judgement seat of CHRIST.

BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR.
            Author and Proprietor.

We find the following in relation to the history of this pretended divine gift, is Mr. Smith's Preface to his book.

PREFACE.

To the Reader -- As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the work, I would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again -- and being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words, that they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they might not receive this work: but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing; therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that which ye have translated, which ye have retained; and behold ye shall publish it as the record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. -- Wherefore, to be obedient to the commandments of God, I have, through his grace and mercy, accomplished that which he hath commanded me respecting this thing. I would also inform you that the plates of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of Manchester, Ontario county, New York.
                      THE AUTHOR.


The Bible is composed of, first and second Book of Nephi; Book of Jacob; Book of Joram; Book of Mormon; Book of Moriah; Book of Alma; Book of Helaman; Book of Nephi, the son of Helaman, Book of Nephi the son of Nephi, Book of Mormon; Book of Ether and Book of Moroni.

The last book appears to have been added as a sort of appendix, and contains the form of service, mode of en[un]ciation, prayers, &c.

This bible is closed by two certificates commending the work; to the first is attached the name of Oliver Cowdry and two other persons, and to the last are eight names, among which are those of the father and two brothers of the reputed author.

On reading the name of Oliver Cowdry, in support of the divine authenticity of the work, whatever faith we might have been inspired with on reading the certificate, was banished, for we had known Cowdry some seven or eight years ago, when he was a dabbler in the art of Printing, and principally occupied in writing and printing pamphlets, with which, as a pedestrian Pedlar, he visited the towns and villages of western New York and Canada, and the only opinion we have of the origin of this Golden Bible, is that Mr. Cowdry and Mr. Smith the reputed author, have taken the old Bible to keep up a train of circumstances, and by altering names and language have produced the string of Jargon called the "Book of Mormon," with the intention of making mon[e]y by the sale of their Books; and being aware they would not sell unless an excitement and curiosity could be raised in the public mind, have therefore sent out twelve Apostles to promulgate its doctrines, several of whom are in this vicinity expounding its mysteries and baptising converts to its principles, whose labors, we understand are principally blest among the superstitious and ignorant or hypocritical, presenting a new proof that all fools are not dead, and knavery in any garb may, yet find votaries.


Note 1: Compare Editor John St. John's remarks regarding Oliver Cowdery with the contemporary judgment of another editor who knew the "pedestrian Pedlar." Orsamus Turner, the following year, said: "the founder of Mormonism is Jo. Smith, an ignorant and nearly unlettered man living near the village of Palmyra, Wayne county; the second, an itinerant pamphlet pedlar and occasionally a journeyman printer, named Oliver Cowdery." Another indication of Cowdery's little known career as an "occasional printer" may be seen in a passing mention, that he "forsook the type and took to Mormonism in New York" (Springfield Illinois Journal of June 1, 1848)

Note 2: See the notes appended to the March 3, 1830 printing of Lucinda Morgan's letter, (on this web-page) for indications that Oliver Cowdery frequented western New York prior to his known residence with the Joseph Smith, Sr. family at Manchester, in Ontario Co.

Note 3: It is altogether likely that both St. John (who had previously lived in the Buffalo, New York area, before moving to Cleveland) and Orsamus Turner (who lived in Palmyra, New York, before moving to the Buffalo region) knew of Oliver Cowdery's activities in western New York during the 1820s. Editor Turner certainly knew Oliver's printer cousin, Benjamin Franklin Cowdery, since the two men operated their respective publishing activities out of the same western New York printing office (at Lockport in 1823). This must have been about the same time that Editor St. John was acquainted with the young man (7 or 8 years before late 1830) as "a dabbler in the art of Printing, and principally occupied in writing and printing pamphlets, with which, as a pedestrian Pedlar, he visited the towns and villages of western New York and Canada." The elder Cowdery used Turner's press at Lockport to turn out job printing (such as pamphlets) when it was not otherwise engaged by Turner himself. Benjamin Franklin Cowdery was known to be a distributor of other printers' tracts, almanacs, etc., at least by the latter part of 1822: He is listed on the cover of Canandaigua printer James D. Bemis' 1823 almanac as "F. Coudery, Angelica." In his autobiographical sketch of 1847, Cowdery says: "In October [1820]... began the Angelica Republican... which we continued just two years and one week [to Nov. 1822]."

Note 4: Whether or not Oliver served an apprenticeship under his cousin, in Angelica, the strong probability is that Oliver was associated with Benjamin Franklin Cowdery when that printer moved from Angelica to the Buffalo region, at the beginning of 1823. This would have been the obvious time for editors St. John (then in Buffalo) and Turner (then nearby at Lockport) to have first encountered the young pedestrian peddler and dabbler in printing. Mr. St. John leaves off following Oliver's history at about this point in time, but Mr. Turner continues his account to the point of alleging that Oliver also frequented the Palmyra area and became involved with the Joseph Smith, Sr. family there, far earlier than most other accounts reveal.

"THE GOLDEN BIBLE" -- Yes, reader strange as it may appear, there is a new Bible just published, entitled the "Book of Mormon," and better known to some as the Golden Bible. We have no doubt many will be shocked to learn there are those sacrilegious enough to contend that a new Bible has been given to the children of men. But it is even so, for we have lately purchased one for the gratification of our curiosity, which was rather excited on learning that its doctrines were taught and believed in this and the adjoining counties.

We have not read it in course, but have perused it sufficiently to be convinced it is one of the veriest impositions of the day. The following is from the title page: --Herald.

THE BOOK OF MORMON:

An account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi.

Wherefore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way the commandment, and also by the spirit of Prophesy and of Revelation. Written, and sealed up, and hid up unto the LORD, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of GOD;, unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the LORD, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of GOD; an abridgement taken from the Book of Ether.

Also, which is a Record of the People of Jared, which were scattered at the time the LORD confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven: which is to shew unto the remnant of the House of Israel how great things the LORD hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the LORD, that they are not cast off forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD;, manifesting Himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of men; wherefore condemn not the things of GOD;, that ye may be found spotless at the judgement seat of CHRIST.

BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR.
            Author and Proprietor.

We find the following in relation to the history of this pretended divine gift, is Mr. Smith's Preface to his book.

PREFACE.

To the Reader --
As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the work, I would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again -- and being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words, that they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they might not receive this work: but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing; therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that which ye have translated, which ye have retained; and behold ye shall publish it as the record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. -- Wherefore, to be obedient to the commandments of God, I have, through his grace and mercy, accomplished that which he hath commanded me respecting this thing. I would also inform you that the plates of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of Manchester, Ontario county, New York.
                      THE AUTHOR.


The Bible is composed of, first and second Book of Nephi; Book of Jacob; Book of Joram; Book of Mormon; Book of Moriah; Book of Alma; Book of Helaman; Book of Nephi, the son of Helaman, Book of Nephi the son of Nephi, Book of Mormon; Book of Ether and Book of Moroni.

The last book appears to have been added as a sort of appendix, and contains the form of service, mode of en[un]ciation, prayers, &c.

This bible is closed by two certificates commending the work; to the first is attached the name of Oliver Cowdry and two other persons, and to the last are eight names, among which are those of the father and two brothers of the reputed author.

On reading the name of Oliver Cowdry, in support of the divine authenticity of the work, whatever faith we might have been inspired with on reading the certificate, was banished, for we had known Cowdry some seven or 8 years ago, when he was a dabbler in the art of Printing, and principally occupied in writing and printing pamphlets, with which, as a pedestrian pedlar, he visited the towns and villages of western New York and Canada, and the only opinion we have of the origin of this Golden Bible, is that Mr. Cowdry and Mr. Smith the reputed author, have taken the old Bible to keep up a train of circumstances, and by altering names and language have produced the string of jargon called the "Book of Mormon," with the intention of making money by the sale of their books; and being aware they would not sell unless an excitement and curiosity could be raised in the public mind, have therefore sent out twelve Apostles to promulgate its doctrines, several of whom are in this vicinity expounding its mysteries and baptising converts to its principles, whose labors, we understand are principally blest among the superstitious and ignorant or hypocritical, presenting a new proof that all fools are not dead, and knavery in any garb may, yet find votaries.


Note: Ashtabula Journal editor Hugh Lowry copied this article directly from the Nov. 25, 1830 issue of John St. John's Cleaveland Herald. The appended editorial remarks, therefore, are those of St. John (who used to live in western NY, near the scene of Oliver Cowdery's early activities) and not comments by Lowry. When Dale Morgan transcribed the Ashtabula Journal reprint, he mistakenly wrote "villages of eastern New York" in place of St. John's "villages of western New York." Biographer Richard S. Wagoner reproduces this error on page 465 of his 1994 Sidney Rigdon. Cowdery's book/pamphlet peddling probably lasted from about 1823 to about 1826 and may have taken a route from Lockport or Buffalo in the south, to York (now Toronto) Canada in the north. Presumably Oliver worked in conjunction with his cousin, Benjamin Franklin Cowdery, who spent several months running off tracts, pamphlets, and other "job printing" on Orsamus Turner's press at nights. No mention is made of what Canadian items Oliver may have brought back with him in his backpack to the United States. Such an itinerant "pedlar" would have, of course, been a useful courier for the Canada-based counterfeiters whose operations were then epidemic along the Niagara frontier. In the first weeks of 1837 Oliver Cowdery signed and placed into circulation many worthless bills drawn upon the failing Bank of Monroe in Michigan. A year later the LDS Church brought excommunication charges against him in Missouri, one of which charged him with making and passing counterfeit money in Ohio.

THE  GOLDEN  BIBLE.

In the fall of 1827, a man the named Joseph Smith of Manchester, Ontario county, N. Y. reported that he had three times been visited in a dream, by the spirit of the Almighty, and informed that in a certain hill in that town, was a Golden Bible, containing an ancient record of a divine nature and origin. On going to the spot he found buried the Bible with a huge pair of spectacles: The leaves (he said tho' he was not permitted to shew them) were plates of gold about 8 inches long, 6 wide and 1/8th of an inch thick, on which were engraved characters or hieroglyphicks, which with the spectacles he could interpret. Martin Harris an industrious farmer, caught the contagion, took some of the characters to different learned men to translate, but without success. He returned, set Smith to work at translating it, and has had it printed.

About two weeks since, Oliver Cowdry, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, [sic] arrived at Painesville Ohio, with the Books. In the evening they preached in the Methodist Chapel, claiming to act under a commission written by the finger of God. They appear very enthusiastic, and predict the end of the world in 15 years, when all but the true believers will be destroyed. They then proceeded to Kirtland, where they held forth, and elder Rigdon, formerly a baptist, and latterly a Campbellite, joined them, as did several of his congregation, and were baptized. The three men above named have now gone west of the Mississippi, where they say is a holy spot, and there they are to establish a New Jerusalem, into which will be gathered all the Natives who they say are descendants of Manesseh. They say they are led by the spirit and will know the ground when they place their feet on it.

This book is entitled "The Book of Mormon: An account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi." It contains the 1st and 2d book of Nephi; book of Jacob; of Joram; of Mormon; of Moriah [sic]; of Alma; of Helama [sic]; of Nephi, the son of Helaman; of Nephi the son of Nephi; of Ether; and book of Moroni, the last contains the form of service, mode of initiation, prayers, &c. It is, doubtless, one of the veriest impositions of the present day.


Note: Compare this article to the shortened text of the Palmyra Freeman notice, as reprinted by E. D. Howe in his Sept. 22, 1829 issue of the Painesville Telegraph. The revised article apparently first saw light in a Nov. 1830 issue of the Geauga Gazette. The same revision was also reprinted in the Dec. 9, 1830 issue of Lewis L. Rice's Ohio Star.

THE  GOLDEN  BIBLE.

In the fall of 1827, a man the named Joseph Smith of Manchester, Ontario county, N. Y. reported that he had three times been visited in a dream, by the spirit of the Almighty, and informed that in a certain hill in that town, was a Golden Bible, containing an ancient record of a divine nature and origin. On going to the spot he found buried the Bible with a huge pair of spectacles: The leaves (he said tho' he was not permitted to shew them) were plates of gold about 8 inches long, 6 wide and 1/8th of an inch thick, on which were engraved characters or hieroglyphicks, which with the spectacles he could interpret. Martin Harris an industrious farmer, caught the contagion, took some of the characters to different learned men to translate, but without success. He returned, set Smith to work at translating it, and has had it printed.

About two weeks since, Oliver Cowdry, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, [sic] arrived at Painesville Ohio, with the Books. In the evening they preached in the Methodist Chapel, claiming to act under a commission written by the finger of God. They appear very enthusiastic, and predict the end of the world in 15 years, when all but the true believers will be destroyed. They then proceeded to Kirtland, where they held forth, and elder Rigdon, formerly a baptist, and latterly a Campbellite, joined them, as did several of his congregation, and were baptized. The three men above named have now gone west of the Mississippi, where they say is a holy spot, and there they are to establish a New Jerusalem, into which will be gathered all the Natives who they say are descendants of Manesseh. They say they are led by the spirit and will know the ground when they place their feet on it.

This book is entitled "The Book of Mormon: An account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi." It contains the 1st and 2d book of Nephi; book of Jacob; of Joram; of Mormon; of Moriah [sic]; of Alma; of Helama [sic]; of Nephi, the son of Helaman; of Nephi the son of Nephi; of Ether; and book of Moroni, the last contains the form of service, mode of initiation, prayers, &c. It is, doubtless, one of the veriest impositions of the present day.

---

Married.

At Batavia, N. Y., on the 20th ult. by the Hon. Simeon Cummings, John [sic] W. Harris, Esq. to Mrs. LUCINDA MORGAN, relict of the late Capt. William Morgan, a soldier of the last war, and a martyr to the cause of Antimasonry.


Note 1: Lucinda Morgan's marriage to silversmith George Washington Harris came as a shock to the people of western New York. She apparently waited for the absolute minimum time (as required by law) to pass, before declaring her missing husband legally dead, and thereby establishing her right to remarry the Morgans' old neighbor, Mr. G. W. Harris. Harris was still an active Freemason when he married Lucinda -- a fact that caused many observers to speculate that the widow's devotion to the cause of political anti-Masonry was not especially heartfelt.

Note 2: G. W. Harris' family connection to Arvilla Ann Harris, later the wife of Dr. Solomon Spalding, has not yet been fully documented. G. W. Harris lived at Batavia, while his cousin (?) William P. Harris (father of Arvilla Ann) lived several miles south of Batavia in Bennington twp. See notes appended to the 1832 marriage announcement of Arvilla Ann and Dr. Solomon Spalding for further details regarding Spalding's Masonic connections and G. W. Harris' Masonic and Mormon associations. Neither of these Genesee Co. Harris families is thought to have been closely related to Martin Harris of Palmyra.

Note 3: At Far West, Missouri, Lucinda became one of the first plural wives of Joseph Smith, Jr. Both Smith and his cousin, Oliver Cowdery were probably acquainted with Lucinda Morgan and George W. Harris as early as the mid-1820s (see area map). A hitherto unrealized connection between the principal characters in the Batavia centered William Morgan Affair and the Palmyra centered Joseph Smith, Jr. money-digging band, may be found in the family of Alvah Beaman -- whose members lived about half way between Batavia (in the Avon-Livonia area). One of Father Beaman's daughters (Louisa Beaman) became a plural wife of Joseph Smith before Lucinda Morgan Harris also received that same distinction. The two women were close friends and there is reason to believe that their friendship began in western New York, as early as the late 1820s.

Note 4: George W. Harris was made a mem