MORMON  BLASPHEMY.

In the Mormon periodical, published at Nauvoo, of March 15th, there is a blundering imitation of the history of Abraham, as contained in Gen. 12:10-14, where Abraham requests Sarai to say to the Egyptians that she is his sister, because he feared that it would not go well with him on account of her beauty. Joe Smith represents the Lord as instructing Abraham to tell Sarai to lie to the Egyptians. Thus, charging the infinitely hold God with the authorship of the sin of his creatures!

Book of Abraham, sect. 15.    

Note 1: Rev. Samuel Williams (1802-1887), the editor and publisher of the Baptist Pittsburgh Witness, was a successor in the pastorate once occupied by Sidney Rigdon, in the Pittsburgh First Baptist Church. Williams served as the Pastor there from 1827 to 1859. In May of 1842 Rev. Williams published in Pittsburgh a pamphlet which he titled Mormonism Exposed. Presumably his 1842 anti-Mormon pamphlet was printed on the same press that printed The Witness, starting in June of that year.

Note 2: Although Rev. Williams was an important and unique eye-witness to the rise of Campbellism and Mormonism in western Pennsylvania, he does not appear to have taken much interest in those movements in the columns of his little Baptist newspaper. The above short notice of the "Book of Abraham" was Williams' only known mention of the Mormons in that paper. Presumably The Witness ceased publication about the time of the 1845 Great Pittsburgh Fire and was not resurrected until 1875 when Williams' co-laborer, the Rev. John Winter, revived the paper for a short while.

                                For the Chronicle.

In the year 1829 Joseph Smith, jr., appeared before the Clerk of the United States Court for the Northern District of the State of New York, and on his solemn oath, deposed that he was the author and proprietor of the book of Mormon. This cannot be denied, for it stands recorded in the book itself, in the usual form, on the back of the title page. What are we to think? Here we are presented with a book claiming to be from God, and (what is still more singular) actually pretending to be translated by the Spirit of God; and yet Joseph Smith, jr. swears that he is its author and proprietor! Strange indeed! But let us look at this matter. I ask, then, in what sense can Joseph Smith, jr. be the author and proprietor of this book, if it was written and translated by the Most High? He is not such by virtue of his having written it, for he says that God wrote it! He is not such by virtue of his having translated it, for again he says that God translated it. How then is he the author and proprietor of the book? He cannot certainly be either author or proprietor without destroying the claim of the book to divine inspiration.

But again, it is common sense that Joseph Smith, jr., in deposing that he was the author and proprietor of the book of Mormon, either swore what was true or what was false. If God was the author and translator, then Joseph Smith could not have been the author, and he swore that which was false. If Joseph Smith, Jr., was the author, then God was not the author, and the book is deprived of all claim to divine authority.

The conclusion therefore is irresistible, that either Joseph Smith, Jr. has perjured himself in this matter, or that the book is nothing more than his production, and consequently entitled to that respect among the productions of mortal men which its merits, when correctly ascertained, may warrant. I repeat, if the book is divine, then Joseph Smith has perjured himself, -- if it is not divine, then we have nothing to do with it in religion.

But again, if the book be divine, what are we to think of a man, claiming to be inspired to translate it, securing to himself the exclusive profits of publishing it? Is such conduct in keeping with the character of a prophet, or of God? If the book be not divine, what name shall we give to the crime of palming it off on the world as the word of God?

In conclusion, if this book be from God, why is it that the original is not forthcoming in the same manner and to the same extent as that of our good old-fashioned Bible? Are the writings of Moses less sacred than those of Nephi? Are the words of Jesus and his Apostles less divine than those of Moroni? If the book of Mormon was translated by divine inspiration, as is pretended, why is each successive edition "revised carefully by the translator?" Is it not insulting to the Spirit of the Living God this to charge him with error?
                          A. DISCIPLE.


Notes: (forthcoming)

                               For the Chronicle.

TO  A  DISCIPLE.

You wished me to answer you like a man. I will do so. As a man, I think you have made lies your refuge, and under falsehood and a fictitious name, you have hid yourself, and the words of Isaiah 2c: 8, 16, 17, 18v. are fulfilled in your case, as far as you are concerned in the making of lies and the making of lies your refuge, as they are found in Mormonism Unveiled, so doing you prove the divinity of Isaiah's words relative to this present dispensation of the Lord, which is reproachfully called Mormonism, which in fact is nothing more and nothing less, than the commencement of the fullfilment of the word of the Lord in the whole chapter; for the Lord to become the crown of glory and the royal diadem of beauty to his, and giving of "line upon line, and precept upon precept," by revelation as the Lord has promised, read Jeremiah 33c: 6, 7v; according to Isaiah 28c: 22c, there will be mockers; read 2 Peter 3c: 3v, knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, therefore, of necessity there must be mockers and scoffers in this dispensation, as well as in the dispensation of the first advent of Jesus Christ. So also, at this day of the Lord's manifestation to his people, there must be some to scoff and mock, and make lies, and to make their refuge under lies and falsehoods.

Read my reply to Mormonism Exposed, to find the chapter of your Mormonism Unveiled; to which you and many of the professed divines of the day, resort to regale their thirsty religions, which can no longer live on a perverted gospel. By perverting the scriptures, the scriptures are no longer a sufficient resort for you, for this grand reason, you cannot sustain yourself, only by perverting them, and in that we are able to expose you triumphantly. Suppose you get some editor to open his columns for us, and try your hand on the scriptures, and assume your real name, so that when you are exposed, the community may know who it is. My name is before the public in bold relief, and should I be exposed, the public know who it is, "the wicked and the coward will hide, sneak and skulk, but he that loves the truth is as bold as a lion. Truth has nothing to fear, but liars are afraid to own their names, falsehood and lies are their fortress, buckler and shield, in the day of their calamity. If you will mock and associate with scoffers, mock on, and we shall expect to hear and see some more from your Mormonism Unvailed, to which yourself and others, as the immutable testimony of eternal truth, to contradict the influence of bible facts, as they are set forth by the Latter Day Saints. How much better it would be to this community for you to show that the gift of tongues is no longer needed in the church, instead of mocking the Saints relative to that gift. Who do you think is so weak that reads your production, that does not know that you made some unwarrantable assertions, unbecoming a disciple of Christ at least, in saying, "Have these Mormons ever gone among our Indians preaching to them in their respective tongues? Have they ever gone into foreign countries preaching in the language of these countries?" You say "Never!" Who are you, Mr. Disciple, are you some kind of an omnipotent being, having eyes like Jehovah, and see all creation at once, and consequently know what the Mormon Elders are about, and what they do and where they are? It must be so, or else you had no consistent ground in fact for your answer to your own query. Shame on your barefaced folly.     JOHN E. PAGE.

(To be continued.)

Notes: (forthcoming)

For the Chronicle:

Messrs Editors -- Did you ever hear of the Kilkenny cats? Well I’ll tell you a similar one. The Book of Mormon gives an account of a great battle between the Nephites and Samanites [sic] in which every soul on both sides was killed, except only the two generals, Coriantumr and Shiz. As a matter of course, they continued the fight until Shiz fainted and fell, when Coriantumr struck off his head. Afterh this, Shiz rose up, struggled for breath, fell and expired. There’s courage for you. The Irish soldier who ran a mile after his head, which a cannon ball carried away, is no touch to Gen. Shiz.

After this it is no longer matter of surprise that one of the Mormon captains in Missouri, addressing his soldiers, should exort them to haxa [sic] faith enough, if shot down in battle, to rise up and shoot again. Strong faith that! Nor is it matter of surprise that Peter Whitmer’s son-in-law should have been alive, according to Elder Page, two years after his brains were knocked out with a rifle barrel by a Missourian. These Mormons must have as many lives as a cat. Yours, &c.
PICCOOLA
        Captain of Danite Band


Note: Reprinted from the Morning Chronicle of July 11th.

THE FLARE-UP AT NAUVOO. -- Our readers have probably seen notice of the schism which has taken place at Nauvoo, amongst the Latter Day Saints, or Mormons. Dr. John C. Bennett, the Quarter Master General of Illinois, Commander of the Nauvoo Legion, and late Mayor of that city, has been expelled from the Church and from the Masonic Lodge of that place.

The Nauvoo Wasp and the Times and Seasons, the latter being edited by "Joe Smith" himself, contains a long address to the Church of the Mormons in particular, and the rest of the world in general, in which it is stated that Gen. Bennett is "an impostor and a base adulterer."

It gives a history of the General from which it seems that he studied medicine with his uncle, Dr. Samuel Hildreth, of Marietta, Ohio, and married a daughter of Col. Joseph Barker, near that place; they both joined the Methodist church, and Bennett became a local preacher, living a different times in Barnesville, M'Connellsville, Malta, Wheeling, Va., Colecville, Pa., and Indiana. His wife eventually left him on account of his ill-treatment, after satisfactory evidence of his infidelity, and, with two surviving children, resides now in Ohio.

In August, 1840, Bennett proceeded to Nauvoo, and joined the Mormons. Soon after Joe Smith received a letter stating that Bennett had a wife and three children at M'Connellsville, Morgan county, Ohio. -- After he had been Nauvoo a short time the paid attention to a young lady, but desisted on Joe Smith's threatening to expose him. Smith's "expose" goes on as follows:

"When he saw that I would not submit to any such conduct, he went to some of the females in the city, who knew nothing of him but as an honorable man, and began to teach them that promiscuous intercourse between the sexes was a doctrine believed in by the Latter-Day Saints, and that there was no harm in it, but this failing, he had recourse to a more influential and desperately wicked course, and that was to persuade them that myself and others of the authorities of the Church, not only sanctioned but practiced the same wicked acts, and when asked why I publicly preached so much against it, said that it was because of the prejudice of the public, and that it would cause trouble in my own house. He was well aware of the consequence of such willful and base falsehoods, if they should come to my knowledge, and consequently endeavored to persuade his dupes to keep it a matter of secrecy, persuading them there would be no harm if they did not make it known. This proceeding on his part answered the desired end; he accomplished his wicked purposes; he seduced an innocent female by his lying, and subjected her character to public disgrace, should it ever be known."

Smith states that he succeeded in seducing several others by the same plausible stories. In July, 1841, Smith received another letter, relative to his wife and family, which was shown to Bennett, who acknowledged the truth of its statements; he shortly afterwards attempted to commit suicide by swallowing a dose of poison, but, by the timely application of the proper antidotes, his life was saved, and he continued to practice his deceptions, until discovered and fully exposed. An investigation was instituted into his conduct and that of the females, alluded to, of which Joe Smith says:

"We also ascertained by the above investigation that others had been led by his conduct to pursue the same adulterous practice, and in order to accomplish their detestable designs made use of the same language insinuated by Bennett, with this difference, that they did not hear me say anything of the kind, but Bennett was one of the heads of the church, and he had informed them that such was the fact and they credited his testimony."

A pretty picture, really, of the morals of Nauvoo, and of the influence of Mormonism upon its votaries! The report of Joe Smith's belief, through a third person, received as gospel!

In justice to Joe Smith, however, we insert Gen. Bennett's own affidavit that his statements relative to Smith's doctrines and practices were false:

Personally appeared before me, Daniel H. Wells, an alderman of said city of Nauvoo, John C. Bennett, who being duty sworn, according to law, deposeth and saith: that he never was taught anything in the least contrary to the strictest principles of the Gospel, or of virtue, or of the laws of God, or man, under any occasion, either directly or indirectly, in word or deed by Joseph Smith: and that he never knew the said Smith to countenance any improper conduct whatever, either in public or private; and that he never did teach to me in private that an illegal, illicit intercourse with females was, under any circumstances, justifiable, and that I never knew him so to teach others.     JOHN C. BENNETT.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 17th day of May, 1842.
                  DANIEL H. WELLS, Alderman.


This affidavit is substantiated by a mass of testimony, but Gen. Bennett comes out in a St. Louis paper as follows:

                                         NAUVOO, ILL., June 27, 1842.
MR. EDWARDS: -- In your paper of the 23d you alluded to the "Trouble among the Mormons," and expressed a desire or hope that "the schism is incurable," and I assure you that it is really so. The holy Joe fears the consequences of my disclosures, and has threatened to take my life, and has ordered some of his Danite band to effect the murder clandestinely -- but he shall be exposed. If he murders me others will avenge my blood, and expose him; If I live, I will do it to the entire satisfaction of all. Just suspend your judgment for a few days until you see my expose in the "Sangamo Journal" of next week, or the week following, over my own name. In haste.

Yours, respectfully             
              JOHN C. BENNETT.

Note: John C. Bennett's letter of June 27, 1842 was addressed to James G. Edwards, editor of the Burlington, Iowa Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot, in response to a news item mentioning him that had recently appeared in that paper (see its reprint in the Pittsburgh Spirit of Liberty of July 9, 1842). Bennett's response was printed in the Hawk-Eye paper on June 30th and was reprinted in various western newspapers in early July. See, for example, the Sangamo Journal for July 8, 1842. The letter is date-lined "Nauvoo." Bennett apparently wrote this letter while visiting George W. Robinson and postmaster Sidney Rigdon, in that place. Rigdon probably saw that the letter was sent speedily to Burlington, while Bennett just as speedily fled Nauvoo for the last time.

                               For the Chronicle.

TO  A  DISCIPLE.
(Continued.)

Perhaps you think the prejudiced part of the community will sustain you; that may be, but those that regard consistency will not doubt. If there should be thousands on thousands of cases of a miraculous nature manifest of God, what would you want for the evidence of the fact? I answer, you would want the testimony of those that did not know any thing about the matter, or you would not accept it, on the plea that they were Mormons, or were about to become Mormons, so being interested in their own testimony, they were not competent witnesses. Yet at the same time no doubt you would have me and the world, swallow down the testimony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Jude, all at once without choking, who are as much self interested witnesses in their own case and in their own interest as we are, and your little head or heart does not possess good sense enough to successfully dispute it. I suppose you think the force of tradition relative to the scriptures being true, is enough to give you the advantage of me in the case of the nature of valid testimony; with those who are of your own ignorant stamp it may be, but not with the sensible and sound logician and philosopher.

What do you know about the truth of the bible, only by tradition of your fathers, the same as the Mohommedans believe the koran to be true, because of the tradition of their fathers. Hush your clamor and say nothing, and then you will not expose your ignorance and folly. You may ask, how I know the scriptures to be correct? I answer, not for your sake but for the public good, that I know the scriptures to be true, by the revelation of the Holy Ghost; and I know the Book of Mormon to be true, by the same witness, it being the only criterion given in each, to know the truth of either one.

You intimate that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are at issue, relative to the testimony respecting the darkness that covered the earth at the crucifiction of our Lord, I can find no contradiction when seen in right light, but let you handle it with infidel hands, and it would appear to be a contradiction, and if that should be the game you wish to find apparent contradiction by making it appear so by your sophistry and false garbling, I will say to you I am ready for you. I have Mr. C. D. White's book and Mr. Robert Taylor's Diegesis before me, those gentlemen are sceptics to the scriptures, in consequence of its contradicting itself in their view, and if you wish to throw stones at your neighbors you had better fortify your own glass house first for fear you might lose your Bible on the same principle. You would like to destroy the Book of Mormon. Relative to the testimony of the Apostles concerning the darkness, it is simply a historical fact of what they saw at Jerusalem, which no doubt was true, as they beheld it. They were ignorant of what was going on, on this continent. The case of what the servants of the same Lord said on this continent, concerning what happened here, was a statement of a historical fact that happened here in America, the Antipode to Jerusalem, or nearly so.     JOHN E. PAGE.


Notes: (forthcoming)

                               For the Chronicle.

MORMONISM -- CONCLUDED.
TO  "A  DISCIPLE."

You [ask] "why the existence of the Nauvoo Legion." Why, Mr. Disciple, (or child,) you ought to ask the Legislature of the State of Illinois that question, its their business, they organized it, (and they are not Mormons.) I suppose, however, it is for the good and safety of our country against our frontier foes and internal mutiny. For the Mormons are true blue to our country, we love good soldiers as well as Washington did, and we detest a coward to all intents and purposes, as much as General Putman did. Our country and her free institutions we love, and the Legislature of Illinois knows it.

You ask again, "why the fortification of the city of Nauvoo?" I know of no fortification of that place, except against the pelting storm of rain and snow. It is true we are building the walls of two most tremendous large buildings, one is called the Temple and the other the Nauvoo house. It may be you have been there, and poor child, you not knowing the difference between the walls of a house and a fort, you might have taken a fright; but never mind that, you will get over it child, as you get older. Hush babe -- don;t cry, grow and be a man, that dare own and speak your name.

Since the above was written, my eye caught a sentence in your article of Friday the first inst., in which you still continue to misrepresent the Book of Mormon. You say the Book of Mormon records it as a fact, that Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem. I say positively it does not say in Jerusalem, it says "at Jerusalem," the difference is this, in the sense which the two terms in and at conveys -- in would signify definitely within the city of Jerusalem -- at would signify in or near by, and as Bethlehem was near by Jerusalem, in comparison to the distance of America, (where the prophet stood,) from Jerusalem, it was as perfectly correct for the prophet to say "at Jerusalem" as to have said near Jerusalem, as they had some general knowledge of Jerusalem more than of its surrounding villages. You say, "was born in Jerusalem." while the Book of Mormon says, "shall be born at Jerusalem." Your words is in the past tense the other in the future tense, you have changed "shall be" for was, also you have changed at for in. What confidence can an honest community have in such a character as you are, that will treat any matter in the manner you do the Book of Mormon. The old proverb is true, "a liar is not to be believed when he tells the truth." Let it be distinctly understood that the Prophet Alma uttered this prophecy, not far from Guatamalla or Central America, some 82 years before the birth of Christ, "in Bethlehem, of Judea," therefore the language of Alma was in the future tense, but in the words of "A Disciple" it is in the past tense. This put along with his saying, that Ether's genealogy of his fathers reached back nineteen generations beyond Adam, and that with his false quotation said to be Shakespeare's words, long before he was born, clearly shows that "A Disciple" is not an honest man. So on the supposition that the Mormons are going to the Devil, the said misfortune will be that we shall see "A Disciple" there too. Surely I should like better company, even those that dare own their name and stand responsible for their own words without fear.

                  JOHN E. PAGE.

Note 1: This article of July 20, 1842 was Apostle John E. Page's final written contribution to the Pittsburgh newspapers during the summer of that year. Probably by the time this piece appeared in the Morning Chronicle Elder Page had temporarily left his home in Pittsburgh for an alternative base of operations at Philadelphia. It is marginally possible that Page made a quick trip back to Nauvoo, to be of service there in the aftermath of the John C. Bennett defection. The New York Public Library holds the original of a letter sent by Joseph Smith, Jr. to Apostle Page at Pittsburgh, dated July 16, 1842. In that letter Smith says: "You no doubt have heard of Gen'l. Bennett's conduct   we think he cannot do much."

Note 2: Apostle Page's signature appears on a notice dated "Nauvoo, May 11th, 1842," withdrawing "the hand of fellowship from Gen. John C. Bennett." This notice was printed in the Times and Seasons on June 15, 1842; but at the date of the purported signature Page was still living in Pittsburgh. It is more than likely that Page did not return to Illinois during that July-August. At any rate, by August of 1842 Page was in Pennsylvania, from whence he wrote a response letter (on the subject of John C. Bennett's allegations) to Joseph Smith at Nauvoo.

JOE SMITH AN ASSASSIN. -- An article in the last Warsaw Signal, relative to the disclosures of the actions of the Mormons, by Gen. Bennett, has the following respecting the attempted assassination of Gov. L. W. Boggs of Missouri:

Bennett states that A. P. Rockwood [sic] started sudden;y from Nauvoo, about two weeks before Boggs' assassination; that he (Bennett) asked Joe where Rockwood had gone; and that Joe replied, that "he had gone to Missouri to fulfil prophecies!" He says further, that Rockwood returned to Nauvoo on the very day that the news of Gov. Boggs' assassination arrived. Since that, the Prophet has presented said Rockwood with a carriage and horse, or horses; and he has suddenly become very flush of money and lives in style. These statements we give as we received them. It is said that Bennett has affidavits to prove every fact above stated, and will shortly present them to the world. If this be true, there will be but little doubt remaining, that Joe Smith was the real instigator of Boggs' assassination.


Notes: (forthcoming)

For the Chronicle.

I feel, Messrs. Editors, that I am trespassing on your indulgence, and possibly on the patience of your numerous readers, in asking you to insert another article on the subject of Mormonism. An apology would be unnecessary if my fellow citizens were apprised of the diabolical character and dangerous tendency of this infamous imposture. I am glad however to discover, that the benign and ever watchful Governor of the world is dividing the counsels and defeating the machinations of Joseph Smith, Jr., and his ungodly associates, and it would not be surprising if in the end these wicked men were to execute on each other the just punishment due to their multiplied enormities. The Lord grant them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth and the salvation of their souls.

For some time past, through the medium of your paper, Elder John E. Page has been engaged in answering an exposure of Mormonism by the editor of a respectable paper in New York, and at the same time he has occasionally condescended to notice with his characteristic courtesy the humble efforts of "A Disciple." Your paper of the 15th contains a fair specimen of the Elder's style. I would now ask what kind of answer have we been furnished with? Has Elder Page shown that the quotations made by the New York editor from the book of Mormon -- from the Voice of Warning -- from the Doctrine and Covenants, were unfairly made? He has not! Has he in the next place even denied the truth of the more important charges brought against Mormonism by A Disciple? I answer unhesitatingly No! He has attempted to show that some of the works which I made quotations, such as "Mormonism Unveiled," were not to be regarded as good authority, but how far he has succeeded even here I leave others to judge. His attack on the Congressional document is undeserving of notice. In a word, his reply, especially to me, is neither more nor less than one tissue of low blackguardism, sufficiently disgraceful to its author without the addition of a single sentence from any one. For my part, although I lay no claim to the apostolic office -- to having seen the Lord, or to peculiar spiritual gifts, such as tongues and miracles, I would consider myself justly obnoxious to the censures of any moral people, were I so far to forget the ordinary rules of good breeding, as to treat even an enemy as Elder Page has A Disciple.

But to return, I again distinctly charge it upon the Book of Mormon and pledge myself to prove what I say any where and before any tribunal competent to decide in the case, that in recording two plain matters of fact the Book of Mormon flatly contradicts the Bible. The Bible everywhere speaks of the birth of Christ at Bethlehem -- the book of Mormon records, on page 234 of the 3d edition, that he was born at Jerusalem. Now, unless Elder Page can show that Bethlehem and Jerusalem are the same place, the book of Mormon must stand convicted before an enlightened and candid public in this instance, as well as in the following, a falsehood. On pages 51 and 434 of the 3d edition, it is first predicted and afterwards recorded that when Jesus should be crucified, there would be and that there were three days of darkness, -- the New Testament records that there was darkness over the whole land from the 6th to the 9th hour. See Matthew xxvii. 45; Mark xv. 33; Luke xxiii. 44. Until it can be shown that there is no difference between three days and three hours, these books cannot be reconciled. One or the other must be rejected by the reader as fabulous. I prefer the Bible.

In the next place I have shown, beyond all contradiction, that Joseph Smith, Jr., in 1829, did solemnly make oath, in due form of law, that he was the author and proprietor of the Book of Mormon. If he is to be believed, what becomes of the claim of the book to divine authority? It is necessarily destroyed! If the book is from God, it is not for any man to claim its authorship. Who ever pretended to be the author of the Bible? But yet here is a book claiming to be a part of the Bible, and Joseph Smith, Jr., swears that he is the author. How preposterous!

In the third place, I have clearly established it as a fact, that there exists in the Mormon Church a military organization, called the Danite band -- that this band is bound together by the most shocking oaths and imprecations -- that it has its secret signs and watch words, and lastly, that the members of it solemnly covenanted with uplifted hands, at the instance of Sidney Rigdon, to assassinate all deserters from the Mormon faith and throw them to the Turkey Buzzards.

Fourthly. I established it as a fact that Joseph Smith, Jr., is a profane swearer -- a blasphemer against Jesus Christ, and a vile adulterer. I have more on these points if it should be called for. Nancy Rigdon's case alluded to by Gen. Bennett, is only too true.

Again I shewed how to speak with tongues and gave a sample of what was spoken. On this subject I remarked, "have these Mormons ever gone among our Indians preaching to them in their respective tongues? Have they ever gone to foreign countries preaching in the language of those countries? Never! I repeat what I there said -- never! Is it pretended that these tongues what the Mormons speak are those of any living nation or tribe? I have heard it asserted. That they are most emphatically unknown tongues, I have no doubt whatever, but I must have a little better evidence than any yet furnished, before I can believe that they are known tongues. To show, however, conclusively the insincerity of all these pretensions, I refer the reader to page 215 of the book of Doctrines and Covenants of the Mormon church, when a revelation is recorded directing Joseph Smith, Jr., "to study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues and people." Here the prophet himself is instructed to become acquainted with "languages and tongues," just like other people, that is, by study."

But in conclusion, Elder Page invites me to a newspaper controversy. Before replying to this invitation I would require to know the reason why this remarkable champion can neither be coaxed nor kicked into a public discussion of Mormonism. He invariably backs out. If he is willing to discuss Mormonism let him express his readiness to go on with the discussion agreed to in the Scotch-hill market-house on the 21st June.     A DISCIPLE.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Animal Magnetism on a Spree. -- Dr. R. H. Collyer has prosecuted Le Roy Sunderland and the Phrenologist Fowler for a libel growing out of a controversy as to which was the discoverer of phrenological [hypnotism].


Notes: (forthcoming)

JOE SMITH EXPOSED. -- The ejected J. C. Bennett is at last out with his promised "exposition" of the great Mormon leader. He charges him with the grossest licentiousness, to which "hundreds of single and married females," have fallen victims, and was not restrained from assailing even the daughter of Sidney Rigdon, but unsuccessfully; and he promises still farther revelations of the most atrocious character. How Mr. Bennet could become acquainted with so many particulars we know not, unless he has himself been a party behind the scenes. We guess that there is very little to choose between the different members of the whole batch. It is just a similar society to the Johannites in England, where one Wroe, the chief prophet, managed to place six virgins in a peculiar predicament in one year. -- N. Y. Tattler.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE TRUTH OF PHRENOLOGY PROVED. -- The last Nauvoo Wasp, a Mormon paper, contains Joe Smith's Phrenological chart, in which the organ of "Amativeness" is set down as "very large -- giving a controlling influence and very liable to perversion." We think the affidavit of Miss Brotherton in another column proves the truth of the science of phrenology conclusively.

---

Another charge of murder it appears from the Western papers, has been made against some of the Mormons. A good deal of feeling exists both among the Mormons and others living in the vicinity. A Mr. Stephenson had offered a reward of $200 for the apprehension of the murders of his brother -- a deed he alleges to have been committed by a couple of members of the Danite Band, who called upon his brother for contributions of money and property to aid in rebuilding the temple at Nauvoo. He, it seems, refused to contribute any thing, and they made a threat that the Stephensons might consider themselves well off if they kept any of their property long. The house of Stephenson was entered and robbed a few days after, but no money was found. A gun was however taken, and concealing themselves behind a fence, the robbers shot Stephenson as he was ploughing. This is all the evidence going to prove that the act was committed by Mormons, and the fact it amounts to very little.

---

Attempted Seduction of a Young Lady
BY  JOE  SMITH,  THE  MORMON  PROPHET.

The following letter is published in the St. Louis Bulletin of the 16th, by Gen. John C. Bennett, having been furnished at his request, by Miss Brotherton, an English lady of good character and fine personal appearance, who joined the Mormons, but afterwards left their church on account of the villainous attempts of the fathers of the Mormon Church to seduce her from the paths of virtue. Bennett says that the letter from Miss Brotherton, details a case of black-hearted villainy precisely similar to those of Mrs. Sarah M. Pratt, wife of Prof. Orson Pratt, and Miss Nancy Rigdon daughter of Sidney Rigdon, Esq., as noticed in the "Sangamo Journal." and hundreds of others that might be named -- it speaks for itself.


Note: The Martha Brotherton affidavit was first scheduled for publication in the St. Louis Missouri Republican of July 15. However, it appeared instead in the St. Louis American Bulletin on the next day. The Brotherton statement was widely reprinted in the days that followed. See, for example, the Alton Telegraph of July 30, 1842 or the Quincy Whig of Aug. 6, 1842 for the full text.

JOE SMITH. -- We insert to-day an affidavit of an Englishman who was acquainted with Miss Martha H. Brotherton, before she left her native land; this is done for the purpose of disproving the assertion of Elder Small, who stated on Sunday last that Miss B. was, to his knowledge, a woman of bad character. This is disproved by the affidavit, and the assertion of Joe Smith's Elder will not be sufficient to overthrow it.

For the Chronicle.
MORMONISM -- CONCLUDED.

Is Elder Page a believer in the Bible? Let the intelligent inquirer read his article in the Chronicle of the 19th inst. and decide. For my part I have all along felt assured that he believes neither the Bible nor the Book of Mormon.

The Mormons, as every one knows, pretend to work miracles, but they refuse to do so before persons who have not been initiated into the mysteries of their superstition, and insist that their word shall be taken in proof that they do actually possess this power. Hence the remark of Elder Page, that while I refuse Mormon testimony, as to Mormon miracles, I would require him and others "to swallow down the testimony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Jude, all at once without choking." This objection comes with a bad grace from a man professing himself the apostle of the Lord, and still worse from one who has "swallowed down without choking" all the absurdities of Nephi and Lehi, Lib and Shiz, Coram and Coon. But I ask did not the Saviour teach "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory?" And again, "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true?" Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, John testify of themselves, or of their Lord? Did Paul, Peter, James and Jude relate their own miracles, or say any thing in defence of their power to perform them? Was the power of the Saviour and his apostles to perform miracles ever made a question of dispute? What miracle does either Matthew or Mark, Luke or John, Paul or Peter, James or Jude relate as having been performed by themselves? Their course in this respect is marked by modesty. How very different the course of impostors! The one performs miracles and says nothing about it -- the other performs no miracles, but is clamorous in claiming the power to do so. I do not therefore require either the Elder or the world, to believe the miracles of the Saviour and his apostles on their own testimony. Again, why is it, that while the miracles of the servants of God, in all ages, have been public -- performed before friends and foes -- the miracles of the Mormons are invariably huddled up in a corner, where no eye can see them but that of their own deluded votaries? "He that doeth truth cometh in the light."

But our "sensible and sound logician and philosopher" -- Elder Page, asks me, in his own truly inimitable style, "What do you know about the truth of the Bible only by traditions of your fathers, the same as the Mahommedans believe the Koran to be true, because of the tradition of their fathers?" Now, sir, I will take Solomon's advice and "answer a fool according to his folly," what do you know about me? Can you say certainly, that I have not received the same evidence of the truth of the Bible as that which you claim for yourself, namely, "the revelation of the Holy Ghost?" But, sir, Solomon also says "answer not a fool according to his folly." You intimate that I believe the Bible on tradition from my fathers. Now, sir, I am proud in responding to this intimation affirmatively, and shall do all in my power to convey the same tradition to the latest of my descendants. You have, sir, paid me the highest conceivable compliment in this remark, for, sir, nothing would be so gratifying as to know that I have descended from a line of Godly parents, who, like the mother and grandmother of Timothy, have taken pains to teach me the way of the Lord. You would, however, convey the impression that the Bible is sustained only by tradition or special revelation -- that there is no other evidence of its truth than the one or the other of these. Is this a fair statement of the case? Are you willing to appear before this community as denying all the internal and external evidences of the Bible? Is it possible, that a man pretending to be an apostle of the Lord, and to have received direct and special revelations from Heaven, should ask his fellow men to believe the Bible on his bare word, in preference to all the clear and convincing proofs of its truth found on its own blessed pages, and in a thousand other circumstances, facts and arguments? What evidence is it to me of the truth of the Bible -- your declaration, that a revelation to this amount has been made to me by the Holy Ghost? How am I to know that what you tell me is true? You may be deceived yourself or disposed to deceive me. It is easier for me to decide in regard to the truth of the Bible than in regard to the certainty of your having received the revelation in question. I am taught to believe natural facts on corresponding evidence, and supernatural facts on supernatural testimony. What you tell me about your having a special revelation is of the latter class and calls for such evidence as was furnished by the apostles -- the evidence of the miracles. Now, sir, I can believe the Bible on its own evidence, but I cannot believe you without a miracle. I am not required to do so. Until, therefore, you practice a miracle in support of it, I will continue an unbeliever in your special revelation. As for the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith, Jr., has settled the question of its divinity.

Elder Page labors in his concluding article to show, that I have been guilty of misrepresentation, in saying that the Book of Mormon affirms that Jesus was born in Jerusalem. The book says, "shall be born at Jerusalem." The difference is this, I said in -- the book says at. I said was -- the book says "shall be." This is a small game. The expression "shall be born at Jerusalem," is put into the mouth of the Mormon prophet Alma, some time before the birth of Christ. I would ask was it fulfilled? if so, then it is right to speak of it in the past tense, and I do no act of injustice to the book in what I said. But I have used the word in instead of at. The Elder insists that at Jerusalem means any where within a number of miles around Jerusalem -- thus a man asks me, (to give a familiar illustration) where did Bird kill his wife. I answer at Washington, but I mean inPittsburgh; or I am told that I can buy a certain book at Kay's, but I am to understand my informant as directing me to Loomis', or any other store near by. Does not at Jerusalem mean in Jerusalem, the same as at Pittsburgh signifies in Pittsburgh. The apostles use the terms at and in as convertible. See John 5, 9, "There is at Jerusalem." See also Luke 2, 43, "Tarried behind in Jerusalem." Acts 2, 5, "Dwelling at Jerusalem." Luke 24, 18, "A stranger in Jerusalem." Acts 6, 1, "Which was at Jerusalem." Luke 24, 49. "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem." Instances of the same kind are numerous, but the above will suffice to shew, that the Elder's defence is worse than frivolous,
                      A DISCIPLE.

---

For the Chronicle.
Miss Brotherton's Character Sustained.

PITTSBURGH, July 15, 1842.    

Editors of the Chronicle -- Having been told by several individuals that in a discourse delivered against Mormonism by L. O. C. Nicklin, on Sunday, at the Scotch Hill market house, on reading Miss Martha H. Brotherton's affidavit, William Small, a Mormon Elder, declared that "such evidence was given by PROSTITUTES, of whom a number were at Nauvoo," thus making an impression on the minds of the people that the said Martha H. Brotherton was a prostitute. I called upon said Small for his denial or confession of such declaration. In the course of our conversation, he declared he did not believe her testimony as set forth, but neither retracts, denies nor confesses his declaration of such testimony being given by prostitutes.

Being a friend, and one, too particularly acquainted with Miss Brotherton and her friends in England, I hereby declare such an aspersion of her character as becoming of a Mormon. She and her connections stand high in the society in which they moved in England prior to her becoming a Mormon, and when (as her cousin who was present at Nauvoo at the time informed me) in consequence of the base attack upon her virtue as set forth in her affidavit, she was compelled to fly for safety; she had to do so at night under the protection of her father.

My opportunity to become acquainted with her character is as good as is possible to be derived in growing from childhood to adult age together; as neighbors living close together, going to school together, and members of the same Sabbath School, and under these circumstances, with indignation thrust back upon any individual who attempts to injure her character for virtue or truth, his own vile slanders, whether he be Elder Wm. Small of the Mormons, or any other.     THOMAS SMETHURST.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of July, A. D., 1842
        ALEX MILLAR, Alderman.


Note: The July 27th printing of the letter from "A Disciple" marked the end of the acrimonious verbal exchange between LDS Apostle John E. Page and the Campbellite leaders in Pittsburgh. The news items originating with John C. Bennett, as well as subsequent developments at Nauvoo, appear to have forced both Page and his Campbellite foe out of the columns of the Morning Chronicle.

MORE  DISCLOSURES
RELATIVE  TO
The  Seductions,  Adulteries,  &c. &c.
OF
JOE  SMITH,  THE  LATTER  DAY  SAINT.

We publish in our paper of to-day an account of Joe Smith's seductions and attempts to seduce a number of the young female members of his church, his falsifications of the records of the Nauvoo Lodge, &c., &c., from the pen of Gen. John C. Bennett, late a leader in the Mormon Church, supported by affidavits, &c.

We publish this for the purpose of exposing this gang of hypocrites, and preventing them from obtaining converts in this community, as they are making every exertion to obtain a foothold here, and with too much success, we are sorry to be compelled to acknowledge.

How any virtuous female or honest man can join their sink of abominations, after reading these disclosures, is more than we can tell. -- Whatever their motives are, and we have no doubt many join from a conviction of the truth of their religion, the disclosures now published, and those heretofore given to the public, are sufficient to show that Joe Smith has no other motive for the establishment of his "church," but the gratification of his hellish appetites to the utmost, and that natural desire for power, by all mankind.

In publishing his statements in regard to these occurrences, General Bennett says: "It is likely that many of the persons whom I have named in my affidavit, and many others whom I may hereafter name, will flounder, but the truth shall now come and stand in bold relief before the world. Most of the Mormons will swear to any thing that Joe tells them to, and the public must look for it. All. therefore, who remain after these astounding disclosures, must be branded with infamy, as they will undoubtedly be partakers in their adulteries, thefts, robberies, and murders."

The Editor of the Sangamo Journal, in publishing these disclosures states that he has omitted several names, being unwilling to injure the feelings of individuals unnecessarily. -- The names, however, can be seen in the original manuscript by any person who desires to do so, by calling at the office of that paper.

---

THE  DURESSE. -- On the 17th day of May A. D. 1842, Joe Smith requested to see me alone in the preparation room of the Nauvoo Lodge...


MRS. SARAH M. PRATT, wife of Professor Orson Pratt, of the University of the City of Nauvoo: -- Joe Smith stated to me at an early day in the history of that city, that he intended to make that amiable and accomplished lady one of his spiritual wives...


MISS NANCY RIGDON, daughter of Sidney Rigdon, Esq.: -- Joe Smith said to me last summer, "If you will assist me in procuring Nancy as one of my spiritual wives, I will give you five hundred dollars...

Note: The text of the above three statements is available for viewing in the Sangamo Journal of July, 15, 1842.

MRS. MELISSA SCHINDLE, wife of Col. George Schindle. -- I now proceed to give the affidavit of Mrs. Schindle, which is in the following words, to wit: --

State of Illinois |ss.
McDonough County, |

Personally appeared before me, Abraham Fulkerson, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county, Melissa Schindle, who, being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that in the fall of 1841, she was staying one night with the widow Fuller, who has recently been married to a Mr. Warren, in the city of Nauvoo, and that Joseph Smith came into the room where she was sleeping about 10 o'clock at night, and after making a few remarks came to her bedside, and asked her if he could have the privilege of sleeping with her. She immediately replied no. He, on the receipt of the above answer told her it was the will of the Lord that he should have illicit intercourse with her, and that he never proceeded to do any thing of that kind with any woman without first having the will of the Lord on the subject; and further he told her that if she would consent to let him have such intercourse with her, she could make his house her home as long as she wished to do so, and that she should never want for anything it was in his power to assist her to -- but she would not consent to it. He then told her that if she would let him sleep with her that night he would give her five dollars -- but she refused all his propositions. He then told her that she must never tell of his propositions to her, for he had ALL influence in that place, and if she told he would ruin her character, and she would be under the necessity of leaving. He then went to an adjoining bed where the Widow ____ was sleeping -- got into bed with her and laid there until about 1 o'clock, when he got up, bid them good night, and left them, and further this deponent saith not.

                                MELISSA (her X mark) SCHINDLE.

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 2d day July, 1842.
                                A. FULKERSON, J. P. (seal).

---

NAUVOO  LODGE,  U. D. -- Irregularities -- False Records -- Unmasonic conduct, &c. &c.

The original records show that Joseph Smith, Job Snyder, Brigham Young, Peter Haws, Willard Richards, and one other, I think Adara Lyman, were initiated, passed and raised, before the installation of the Lodge, and all but one have passed through since, -- Joe by the hands of the Grand Master Jones, and the remainder by other brethren. That record was sealed up, and a new one commenced -- the second was sealed up, and a third commanded, -- and then a new record book procured and such parts copied as they were willing should go out to the Grand Lodge, and such only.

Let the original book be produced and these facts will appear -- I stand pledged that they shall appear. A part of the original record is in my hand writing, as all know; and if they will produce a record that has any of my hand writing in it, (for the new one has nothing but my name), I will show all the facts unless the leaves have been torn out. Mr. Stoddard was suspended for blackballing Mr. Sessions, but it was not put to record. The charge of H. G. Sherwood and Samuel H. Smith, against Robert D. Foster, during the trial of which Foster received such a severe rebuke by Joe, never appeared upon record, and Joe said, as the case was likely to effect his brother Samuel, "I will see the records in hell and burn this house, before it shall be said that a Smith ever failed to accomplish a thing he undertook, or before anything shall be recorded that may ever operate against Samuel -- and if we can't get a charter without that, the Grand Lodge may go to the Devil." Is this not so? I appeal to George W. Robinson, Francis M. Higbee, and Hiram Kimball, all Master Masons. These are only some of the actings and doings of the Nauvoo Lodge, U. D., under the Supervision of Joe and his servile priest, George Miller -- the little creature that does Joe's dirty work. Let the Grand Lodge look to this. Why does not Nauvoo Lodge, U. D., deal with Joe for the attempted seduction of Nancy Rigdon, a Master Mason's daughter, and for the actual seduction of several Master Masons' wives and sisters and daughters! -- Simply because they say Joe is a Prophet, and the Lord's anointed must not be harmed; the Lord will not suffer his anointed to fall! O, tempore! O, mores!

---

I am now going over to Missouri to have Joe taken to justice; and then I am going to New York to publish a book, to be called "The History of the Saints," in which I shall tell most of the actings and doings at Nauvoo for the last two years, of most of their great men, and some of their great women, too; so look out for breakers. We shall have full disclosures if the Danites don't catch me; they are after me like prowling wolves, by Joe's special orders. In haste.
                               Yours respectfully,                                            JOHN C. BENNETT.


Notes: (forthcoming)

BENNETT'S  AFFIDAVIT: -- We know not whether Gen. John C. Bennett is worthy of belief, as he swore, while in Nauvoo, that Joe Smith had never taught him anything contrary to strict morality and virtue; in justice to the General however, we publish his last affidavit, although it and his other publications would, under ordinary circumstances, be excluded from our columns; but when we see a base imposture, under the name of religion, gaining converts even in our own city -- some from our own churches, it is time for the press to speak out, and direct its voice in tones of thunder against the vile hypocrisy, blasphemy, and shocking immorality of these reverend knaves, whose insidious wiles have caused the ruin of many a female, who has joined their church from a mistaken belief in the purity of their religion. The following is Gen. Bennett's last affidavit.

State of Illinois    | ss.
Hancock County, |

Personally appeared before me, S, Marshall, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, John C. Bennett, who, being duly sworn, according to law, deposeth and saith -- that the affidavit taken before Esq. Wells on the 17th of May, and the statement before the City Council of Nauvoo, on the 19th, as published in the Wasp of the 25th of June, 1842, are false, and were taken under durrese, as stated in this letter -- that he has seen Joseph Smith in bed with Mrs. ______, Mrs. ______, and that he has seen him in the act of cohabitation with Mrs. ______, and Mrs. ______, all four of whom he seduced by telling him that the Lord had granted the blessing of Jacob, and that there was no sin in it -- that he told him that Bates Noble married him to ____ ______, and that Brigham Young married him to ____ ______, that he had free access to Mrs. ______, Mrs. ______, and Mrs. ______, and various others; whose husbands he had sent off preaching, and not now necessary to mention -- and further this deponent saith not,
                                JOHN C. BENNETT.

Sworn and subscribed, this 2d day July, 1842.
                                SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P. (seal).

---

ANOTHER! -- Disappearance of Elder Orson Pratt! -- The Warsaw Signal, a paper published near Nauvoo, states that information had been received at Warsaw of the sudden disappearance of Elder Orson Pratt, a prominent Mormon. He left a paper stating that his disappearance was caused by Joe Smith's treatment of his wife, and by some wrong doing in the church. He confirms General Bennett's statement relative to Joe Smith's attemot to seduce Mrs. Pratt. It was supposed by some in Nauvoo, that he had committed suicide and about 500 persons were out on the search for him.


Notes: (forthcoming)

                               For the Chronicle.

TO THE PUBLIC: -- Those that have been conversant with the Daily Sun, will have noticed an attack upon me by L. O. C. Nicklin. This is to say that the answer was forthcoming, and put into the hands of the Daily Sun, with a promise that it should be published in a day or two. I waited more than a week, went to the office and got the promise renewed, waited a few days longer, and called again, but was informed that there was an editorial veto put upon all publications of this kind. Notwithstanding they have published on the opposite side of the question since that date. I would just remind the Editor of the Sun, of a saying of our Lord, that the Sun should shine upon the evil and the good. But evil or good, it has not shone upon me through the medium of that paper. I would advise the Editor to change the name of his paper so as to be consistent.

To Mr. Nicklin I would say, that the course he has pursued with me, and my brethren, reminds me of a saying of Dr. Johnson, when enquired of by a young man. "What do you suppose the world to think of us?" "Why, I suppose," says the Doctor, "that they think me to be a bull-dog, and you a tin kettle tied to my tail!"

---

For the Daily Sun.    

MR. NICKLIN: I discover in the columns of this respectable paper, an article addressed to Mr. Dana, signed L. O. C. Nicklin. I presume the article referred to, is an attack upon me; if you have occasion to speak of me again before the public, please do me the honor of inserting my real name, (as I [am] not ashamed of it,) my name is Charles R. Dana, and I never had occasion to cloak myself under a fictitious name.

You say I made a Mormon attack upon your veracity, it is true I did show your contradictions, and that too agreeably to previous notice, before I knew of any of the notices you refer to, "Tis true we met near the bridge, as a matter of course, as you was going one way and I another, I ask, have I as good a right to show your contradictions, lies and misrepresentations as you have to take the course you have pursued against me? You ask what has been my course with you? I answer, base, base, beneath the character of any person professing (as you do) to be a gentleman and a christian. I ask the question, what would have been my lot were this, suppose I had pursued the same course with you that you have with me? Would I not have got my feet in the stocks? What say you, Mr. Nicklin? You speak of your character having been stabbed. I know it, I know it, Mr. Nicklin; but you have yourself to blame. You ought to have minded your own business. Yes I confess your character has received a wound more deadly (except you repent,) than the one that the beast received, spoken of in 11th Rev.

You say further, that I promised that on next Lord's day, I would bring the passages. I deny it, sir. Mr. Small had the stand at this time, and said something to that effect. So you will please look to him if he has not redeemed his pledge.

You said in the Market that the doctrine of baptism for the remission of sins was not taught in the Book of Mormon. I say it is. Read if you please in the third edition of the Book of Mormon, p. 499, Come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins. Again, p. 565, Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins. Also, p. 566, And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling of the commandments; and the fulfilling of the commandments bringeth remission of sins. You say it is well for me that you are not a Mormon, as I might be sent on a voyage of discovery for Martin Harris and Sampson Avard. How are we to understand you, Mr. Nicklin? Do you wish to convey the idea to the public that the Mormons have actually slain those men, and if you were a Mormon you would slay me?

Be it known that Martin Harris is a member of this church, and I saw him last August alive and well in Kirtland, O., and as for Avard I do not know him, but am informed that he also is alive. Now, Mr. Nicklin, for the Lord's sake and for your own soul's sake, and for the sake of suffering humanity, stop your lying slander, and set yourself about the work of repentance. Cease to do evil and do well for I perceive you have learned but a small part of this lesson. And while you boast of yourself as a christian, let us see some of the fruits.

Unless you repent I have reason to expect trouble from such men, for Paul says (2d Timothy, 3d chap.) that in the last days perilous times shall come, because they have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.     CHARLES R. DANA.


Note 1: Levi Orme Connor Nicklin (1807-aft.1861) was a Campbellite living in Pittsburgh in 1842. He was probably an elder in the Disciples of Christ Church by 1842. His anti-Mormon preaching in Pittsburgh is mentioned in the Morning Chronicle of July 27, 1842. Several notices from Nicklin were published in the Millennial Harbinger between 1845 and 1854, and there he is identified as being anelder; see also Nicklin's letter to Rev. Walter Scott in the July 1, 1841 Evangelist of the True Gospel.

Note 2: Charles Root Dana (1802-1868) became a Mormon in 1838. He apparently served on LDS missions in Pennsylvania in 1842 and again in 1848. By March of 1843 Dana had returned from his work in Pittsburgh and was living in Nauvoo. See the Morning Chronicle of Aug. 3, 1842 for a writer's crude attempt to be humorous at Elder Dana's expense. Extant files for the Pittsburgh Sun during this period are too incomplete to all verification of the report that the paper was printing anti-Mormon articles in 1842.

From the Sangamo Journal, July 22.    

FROM  NAUVOO. -- Two gentlemen, who passed through holy Joe's city on Thursday of last week, state, that soon after their arrival Joe made a speech in front of the Temple. The subject of his speech was -- Bennett -- the Sangamo Journal -- Mrs. Pratt -- and other matters. Joe swore like a pirate, and used the most obscene language. He appeared to be much excited, and it would be an act of charity to suppose that the holy debauchee was drunk as well as mad.

Joe, it is said, anticipates a requisition for his person from the Governor of Missouri. He has the utmost horror of the idea of being given up. Joe thinks that Judge Ford will not give him up if he should be elected Governor.

Joe, it is further said, is laboring to make up the breach with Rigdon, Pratt, and others, by offers of special favor. We trust that in this effort he will not succeed. Joe cannot now harm these men. He will not injure them. He dare not fulfil his threats, and his promises are not to be relied on. -- We again call upon Messrs. Rigdon and Pratt, as they regard virtue, honor, and the reputation of their families, to come out from this Nauvoo 'Babylon, and Mother of Harlots.'

The developments which have been made must sink Joe Smith to the lowest depths of infamy in the eyes of all honest men. He must fall so certain as God punishes vice and rewards virtue.

---

For the Chronicle.    

A DOG  CHASE. -- It is hard to catch a dog with a kettle to his tail. Did you ever try it Elder? How edifying the sight! A poor dog streaking it for bare life! Jing! goes the kettle. Away flies the dog. Jingle, tingle, ingle, ting, ding, ring! Make room! Cruel boys! Now he pauses and bites at the kettle. Away he goes again. See him jump under that old shop. He turns round -- snaps at the kettle -- is struck with a stone -- out he starts. There, there, there he goes! tongue out! Rattle, tattle, attle, ding! Poor dog. Come Bill. O shame boys. Is that your dog, Joe? Stop, boys, stop and let the poor thing be. Alas, poor Dana! Nick'll catch you yet.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE CAUSE OF THE MORMON EXPLOSION.

The Springfield (Illinois) Register attributes the whole of the commotion among the Mormons to a political trick, designed to affect the coming election. It says, after giving at length the motives for this outcry against them:

"The whole history of the political course of the Mormons, in our opinion, is simply this: Smith is a shrewd fellow. He supports the popular side in politics for his own interest. When in Missouri he went for Van Buren, because there the Van Buren party was largely in the majority. In 1840 he saw the tide and wind settling in for Tippecanoe, hence he threw up his hat for Harrison. In 1841 he believed this was a Whig congressional district, and therefore he went for Stuart, 'without a why or wherefore.' In 1842, believing, as almost every body else, that Illinois is decidedly a Democratic State, he cries out lustily, hurrah for Snyder and Moore. Such we candidly believe to be the sole motives of Smith's political changes -- motives that have changed some of the most priminent politicians of the country, and will continue to change others, as long as man is impelled by self interest.

"Regarding this war against the Mormons, at this particular time, as an electioneering scheme, got up by unprincipled political demagogues, we denounce it."


Note: Presumably this news report first appeared in the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle, however, the original article has not yet been located.

ATTEMPT TO  ARREST JOE SMITH. -- An extract from the St. Louis Republican which we find in the Cincinnati Message, gives us the information that Gov. Carlin has at length resolved to comply with the requisition of the Governor of Missouri, and deliver up Joe Smith and A. P. Rockwell. As the recently elected Sheriff of Hancock county is a Mormon, the writ was placed in the hands of the Sheriff of Adams county, who went to Nauvoo and arrested Smith and Rockwell. The Nauvoo authorities issued a habeas corpus, and the prisoners were taken out of the Sheriff's hands at once and released. The Sheriff returned immediately to Quincy, and reported these facts. It was generally believed that Gov. Carlin would immediately order out the military to march to Nauvoo and enforce the arrest. If they do so, and Joe and his colleague are not among the missing, we may expect "a spec of war" at the chosen city. A few days at farthest will probably give us the result.

We learn since, that the troops proceeded to Nauvoo, and the prophet was not to be found within the precincts of the city. It was thought that Joe had delegated his authority to his brother, and would take a trip to England, or some other part of Europe. It may be possible, however, that he has only concealed himself until preparations can be made to resist the forces of the State, and as Joe is a bold, reckless daring fellow, we should not be surprised to hear that a battle had been fought between the Mormon forces and those of the state of Illinois, within a few days.


Notes: (forthcoming)

LAMBDIN'S PORTRAIT OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. -- We saw on Monday, at the Philo Hall, a portrait by Lambdin of this distinquished statesman; -- it is a beautiful painting and worthy of the genius of the man who executed it. Our readers who have an opportunity to see it, will of course avail themselves of the chance to see the likeness of a man, who stands in a prominent position in the public estimation at the present time.


Note: The painter referred to in this report was James Reid Lambdin (1807-1889), the younger brother of the then deceased Jonathan Harrison Lambdin (1798-1825). James was apparently still living in Pittsburgh in the 1840s. It is not known if he supplied information on his brother's obscure relationship with Sidney Rigdon, in that same town, before 1825.

REPORTED  MORMON BATTLE. -- The Madisonian of yesterday says the following note was written on the outside of a letter received on Saturday from one of the public officers at Chicago, Illinois: -- "A battle has been fought between the Mormons and Anti-Mormons. The extra says thirty or forty were killed or wounded. The Governor has gone down with 200 men." We have received no confirmation of this news by the Western mail of last evening.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MILITARY  MOVEMENTS  OF  THE  MORMON  GENERALS. -- James Gordon Bennett, editor of the Herald, and Brigadier General of the Nauvoo Legion, has been commanded by Major James Arlington Bennett to take up the line of March for Nauvoo, to defend Joe Smith, and his brother saints, from the threatened attacks upon him. The order, it seems, has taken the Brigadier in a state of want of preparation very unofficerlike, and derogatory to his character as a military genius, He has been compelled to advertise for a full suit of uniform suitable to his rank, a fine horse, a sword, an old bible and a prayer book. The General intends to fight the enemy as Mahomet did the opposers of the "true religion," with the Koran in one hand and the sword in the other. It is to be hoped that he will make better use of the latter than Governor Dorr, Let is be like his pen, keen, cutting, and killing.

---

GEN  BENNETT is attempting to make himself a great man by his disclosures of the conduct of his brother saints in Nauvoo. We believe Joe and his Nauvoo followers a pack of scoundrels, but Bennett is the most blasphemous wretch that ever attempted to pass for a saint -- as a specimen her the following:

"The Moron creed is this: it is a Trinity. Joe Smith represents God; Hiram Smith is the 1st councilor, and represents Jesus Christ; and Sydney Rigdon is the 2nd councilor, and represents the Holy Ghost; and when Sydney Rigdon was sick, I was the Holy Ghost pro tem. and yet Joe says I was such a great rascal. And after I became the Holy Ghost in Nauvoo, I passed into the secret chamber, and saw all that was done there, and how the wires were pulled, and many things too indelicate to be told to an assembly of ladies."

---

THE  MORMONS: -- The following letter is published in the N. Y. Herald:

HEAD QUARTERS, NAUVOO LEGION}
CITY OF NAUVOO, Aug. 4, 1842     }

GENERAL ORDER.

As General John C. Bennett has retired from the service, General James Arlington Bennett, the next ranking officer, is hereby ordered to repair forthwith to the Head Quarters of the Legion and assume the command, accompanied by his chief Aid-de-Camp, General James Gordon Bennett.

The requisition from the Executive of Missouri, on the Executive of Illinois, for the person of Lieutenant General (at the instance of their accomplice, Dr. John C. Bennett,) for the attempted assassination of Ex-Gov. Boggs, makes it necessary that the most able and experienced officers should be in the field, for if the demand is persisted in, blood must be shed.

By order of Lt. Gen. JOSEPH SMITH,
              HUGH MCFALL,
              Adjutant General.

This will be conveyed to New York by John Slade, Esq., who is just leaving the city for the East to watch Dr. Bennett's movements.

Bennett can't say what James Arlington Bennett will do in the premises. but General James Gordon Bennett most decidedly won't go.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormon Developments.

Gen. Bennett's third meeting, in exposure of the rascalities of Joe Smith, took place on Friday last, in the Church at the corner of Crystie and Delancy streets, New York. The subject for the evening (we learn from the Sun) being an account of Joe's amorous propensities, no ladies were admitted, and the audience consisted of some two hundred men and boys -- admitted at the rate of one shilling a head -- all of whom seemed highly edified with the somewhat peculiar narration to which they were permitted to listen. According to the General's account, there is a precious state of morals existing among the leaders of the new sect, and if half of his statements be true, they all tichly merit suspension not from the church merely, but from the gallows. Bennett went on to say that Joe had a band of men called Danites, who were always ready to do his will, that several of them were lurking about New York, now, to assassinate him. Upon this a man in the assembly mounted the rostrum, declared himself to be the captain of the Danites, and expressed a wish to address the audience, but there was immediately a general row, the lights were extinguished and the audience made their way out of the building in the best manner they could.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> Joe Smith has had a "call." -- The State Register of the 26th utl. -- the semi official organ of the Mormons in Illinois -- contains the following information, as to the whereabouts of its Master: -- "Joe Smith the Mormon prophet, has recently received an important revelation, which requires him to be in England in a short time. It is rumored that he has already departed for Washington where he is required to perform a great miracle.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> We should like to know what Elder Page has to say for Joe Smith now.


Note: The Morning Post's jibe at LDS Apostle John E. Page may be viewed in the context that the top leader of his religious group, Joseph Smith, Jr., had for several weeks been lambasted in the pages of the local press as a monster and a whoremonger. Page replied to the Morning Post with a letter published in its number of Sep. 17, 1842.

==> Elder Page's defence of Joe Smith will appear to-morrow.

---

Mr. Joseph Arny.

This first convert to Mormonism in this city, has renounced the humbug. He was the first man who stood up in Irwin's Long Room, and will be remembered by many of his friends that he was Baptized by Elder Page in a cold day last winter in the Allegheny river. Since that time he has advocated the doctrines of the Latter Day Saints in Steubenville, Wellsbutgh and Bethany. He visited the Prophet, in company with other converts from this city, and had the [intimate] satisfaction to learn from the mouth of that imposter that Pittsburgh might yet be saved as there was enough of holy men in it to save it.

But since that time he has been convinced that Mormonism is a humbug and that it is impossible to follow the prophet in all his various windings. In consequence of such discovery he publicly renounced Mormonism in the Disciples Church, Wellsburg, Va,. a few weeks ago.


Note: Joseph Arny (or Arney) was the first Mormon convert baptized at Pittsburgh -- the "journeyman baker" mentioned in the Iron City of Feb. 12, 1842. Elder Richard Savery was probably the second male convert in the LDS Pittsburgh branch. For more on Arney's defection from the Mormons see the Iron City of Sep. 17, 1842.

MORMONISM!

MESSERS. EDITORS. -- In looking over your columns of the 15th inst. I found the following words: "We should like to know what Elder Page has to say for Joe Smith now."

It is well known that there are more Joe Smiths than one, and probably there are more Elder Pages than one. I suppose however that the Smith referred to is Mr. Joseph Smith, Jr. the Prophet of the Latter Day Saints, called Mormons; and the Page referred to, my humble self. If I am mistaken, please excuse me.

Respected Sirs: I haste to let you know what I have to say for Mr. Smith.

1st. I have been acquainted with him, politically and religiously, for much of the time of seven years. As a politician I know him to be a sound democrat, according to the true spirit and policy of our illustrious revolutionary fathers of 1776; -- which was this, as I view it: "The greatest amount of Liberty to the greatest number of persons,"

2. As a religious man, I have ever found him to be virtuous, just and upright; firm and steady in the discharge of his duty to his family, his neighbors, the world, and the church of Christ. -- And while he was a prisoner in the dreary prisons of the state of Missouri, he was patient and resigned, though bound in chains and fetters of iron.

As a prophet, I have found him to be all he professes to be thus far. I cannot believe him to be guilty of what he is accused, for the following reasons: 1st. It would be impolite for his own interest; secondly, it would be strictly against the chaste and virtuous principles of the Gospel of Christ, which he so earnestly contends for. Our society of Saints at Nauvoo is made up of emigrants principally from the states, and some from the different populous cities of Europe and the Canadas. We have cut about an average slice with other churches out of the great mass of mankind as they rise; some high, some low, some rich and some poor, some learned and some unlearned, some as Jesus said we should do, we have "gathered of all kinds, both good and bad,"

I think Mr. Smith knows as well as your honors, or myself, that if he should be guilty of those things of which he is accused by his enemies, that the whole church of Latter Day Saints, called Mormons, would forsake him at once and leave him to enjoy the society of his own shame and confusion. But it will take more than mere ipse dixit debauchees, to convict him of such crimes as adultery, fornication, theft, treason, etc. For these things have been charged on him by his enemies, ever since and before he had found one to receive him as a prophet.

The excitement lately got up by J. C. Bennett, is not the first by twenty-nine in twelve years; all an "Expose of Mormonism;" which proves to be the most easy and expeditious means of catching a penny these hard times.

I say I must and will receive Mr. Joseph Smith jr. as a good man, and a prophet, until he is fairly, reasonably and rationally proved to be otherwise. As far as I can understand, by a strict and critical research of the Scriptures, [on] what constitutes a prophet -- by the research of the book of Mormon, and the book of Doctrine and Covenants -- which last mentioned books have come forth to the gaze and scrutiny of this, the nineteenth century, thro' Mr. J. Smith, jr. -- I must say he is a Prophet. If he should ever be found guilty of crime, I shall do by him as I do by David and Solomon of old; I shall disdain the act of crime as much in the character of Joseph Smith as in David and Solomon, and yet as readily retain the word of the Lord, given through Mr. Smith, as through David and Solomon, as long as they appear to be clothed with the same Divine authority, by the participation of the promises, and the fulfilment of prophecy.

Let it be distinctly understood, that the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants is as strict against crimes such as Mr. Smith is accused of, as the New Testament is. If we are wrong in believing in these Books, where is that good Christian Samaritan that will come forward and redeem us by showing us the better way; our places of worship are open, and we are teachable. What missionary society will send a faithful and efficient missionary to Nauvoo, to save the Mormons. Try it.

Lest I tax your clemency too high, I close, sirs; but if you or any of your friends wish to know further particulars of Mr. Smith, such as I can give in truth, I will. I am, with respect, your friend and well wisher.

JOHN E. PAGE.      

Note 1: Apostle John E. Page attended the 1842 spring LDS Conference at Nauvoo, and there must have encountered the allegations and counter-allegations concerning the attempted solicitation of Miss Martha Brotherton as an intended plural wife for Brigham Young, through the active agency of Mormon President Joseph Smith, Jr. When Miss Brotherton's statement, detailing this attempted seduction into spiritual wifery was reprinted in the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle of July 26, 1842, Page remained apparently silent, and was not seen offering any published rebuttal in the columns of the local newspapers. Again, when Miss Brotherton's virtue was subsequently defamed by Elder William Small of the LDS Pittsburgh branch, and then firmly supported in the Morning Chronicle of July 27, 1842 by one of her friends, John E. Page continued his silence. In his response, as printed in the Post, Page appears to reaffirm Elder Small's accusation that factious Latter Day Saint sisters like Miss Brotherton were nothing but "prostitutes" -- or, at least ipse dixit debauchees.

Note 2: Apostle Page's true feelings about Joseph Smith's newly exposed secret polygamy may be revealed in his raising Smith to the same level as kings David and Solomon (both notorious for polygamous relationships) and then excusing him (Smith) of his ostensible sexual sins in the same way that orthodox religionists had long since excused David and Solomon. Page's use of this extraordinary analogy indicates that he probably knew of Smith's polygamy by this date --or, at least had heard such strong rumors to that effect that he could not in good faith ignore such public accusations out of hand.

Correspondence of the Morning Chronicle.

NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 1842.      

GENTLEMEN: You have of course seen a good deal in the newspapers... "General" Bennett, the great Mormon expounder, has been lecturing here, in conjunction with a Mr. "Origen Bachelor," on the enormities of Jo Smith and his harem at Nauvoo. The lectures were altogether the most shameless, obscene and beastly exhibitions ever conceived of. They have been laughed down by unanimous consent; and the only fault I can find with the matter is that "General" Bennett was not treated in a triumphal procession out of town, on a rail. Mormonism is undoubtedly bad enough; but Bennett is unquestionably quite as bad -- and, I am inclined to think, a great deal worse.

There -- I believe that is a little of every thing.     Yours,     P.

---

MORMONISM RENOUNCED. -- We are glad to learn that Mr. Joseph Arney, baker, the first convert to the doctrine of the Latter Day Saints in this city, has made a public renunciation of the faith, within a few days, at the Disciples' Meeting in Wellsburgh, Virginia. He was baptized last winter by Elder Page, took a pilgrimage to Nauvoo with other Pittsburgh Mormons, was much gratified with a sight of the holy temple and an interview with holy JOE, but being unable to keep pace with the revelations of that prophet has left them. We notice this for the information of his numerous friends.


Note: These two articles first appeared in an as yet unlocated issue of the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle. See the Daily Post of Sep. 16, 1842 for more on Joseph Arney.

Another Attempt to Arrest Jo. Smith.

We learn from the Quincy Herald that another attempt has been made to arrest Smith and Rockwell, which, like previous efforts, proved to be an abortion. Writs for their arrest were placed in the hands of Messrs. King and Pitman, and on the same evening, in company with Mr. Ford and five or six others, they started for Nauvoo. Notwithstanding the officers endeavored to keep the whole proceeding secret, the news of their intentions and errand reached Nauvoo before them; and about two hours before they arrived there, Joe Smith had taken his departure.

---

To the Editors of the Morning Post.      

The following extract, from a communication in the 'Post' this morning, from John E. Page, merits a passing notice. He says: "if we (Mormons) are wrong in believing in these Books (of Doctrine and Covenants) where is that good Christian Samaritan that will come forward and redeem us by showing us the better wayl our places of worship are open, and we are teachable." Often has John E. Page used language similar to this in his addresses to the public. But what he intends to convey by it would be difficult to determine. I tested the sincerity of his professions, on this point, some time ago. Good Christian Samaritan, or not, I came forward, and that too, in the most respectful manner, to show them the better way, by publicly discussing scriptural subjects with John E. Page, nut how was I met? -- Why conditions carefully concealed until I came forward were immediately imposed, as indispensible to the enjoyment of even this paltry privilege. What these conditions were, John E. Page can tell full well. Should he neglect, however, to do so, I may trouble you again, not only with the humiliating conditions, but also with some accompanying remarks thereon.

"A fish too small for John E. Page to catch."
Pittsburgh, Sep'r. 17, 1842.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> Bennett delivers his lectures in Boston, dressed in the uniform of a Major General of the Nauvoo Legion.

==> The wife of the notorious Morgan, of Anti-Masonic memory, is said to be at Nauvoo, being now the better half of Harris.

Note: The "Harris" here mentioned was George W. Harris, a silversmith from Batavia, NY, turned Mormon, who was a member of the LDS High Council at Nauvoo and later at Kanesville. His wife, Lucinda Morgan Harris, almost certainly became a plural wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., at Far West, Missouri in 1838.

Messrs. Editors: -- I was somewhat surprised after the continued discussion of Mormonism in the Chronicle, you should already, in the infancy of your undertaking, begin to fill the columns of the Post with dry and uninteresting articles from the pen of one of the Mormon Prophets, and from that of an anonymous scribbler probably the same who wrote for the Chronicle.

If it is the intention of this discussion to put down Mormonism, I for one think it is going to have a very different effect; by noticing such a hunbug, you bring it before the people, and bring an otherwise obscure and contemptible alledged religion into public view, and at once destroy the very object of your opposition,

It is not my intention to enter the arena of Mormon discussion, and I leave it to your good sence whether the columns of your paper might not be better and more usefully occupied.
                                    A SUBSCRIBER.


We would inform "A Subscriber" that we have no intention to revive a discussion of Mormonism; the subject is as dry, stale and unprofitable to us as it can possibly be to any of our readers. -- Eds.

Note: Following this declaration by the editor of the Post, and after his printing of another John E. Page letter in the paper on Sep. 26th, the topic of local Latter Day Saintism mostly dissappeared from the columns of the Pittsburgh papers for several months. The Post allowed Apostle Page a brief comment or two in its columns of Dec. 8th, but the paper's editor largely continued to ignore Pittsburgh Mormonism until the first half of 1844, when he commenced printing a series of articles supporting the Solomon Spalding claims for Book of Mormon authorship during.

                                               For the Morning Post.
Mormonism.

Messrs. Editors -- Sirs, in your columns of the 20th inst., I find an anonymous article, written by some person who thinks himself "too small a fish" for me to "catch."

This is to say, Sirs, that a fish too small to bear a name, I do not desire to catch, for all the good fish will have a name, written in the "Lamb's Book of Life," and consequently will be "gathered into vessels," while "the bad will be cast away."

I wish to say to the public, that all and every thing that is required by me, of any gentleman that wishes to discuss with me the subject of my religious faith, is simply this: I wish to know them, by public report, or by letters of commendation, from some society, or gentlemen, of good report, that I may have some warrant; to know the applicant is of respectable character worthy of public attention.

Yea I speak for myself, and the church to which I belong, and say that we would be happier, yes, very happy, indeed, to see any respectable character come to our places of worship, and treat us respectifully, and redeem us from our errors, if error we believe; on this condition; we must have the privilege of having half the say. The scriptures of the Old and New Testaments being the rule of test.   Yours, respectfully,
                                    JOHN E. PAGE.


Notes: (forthcoming)

We reluctantly decline publishing the [reply of a] correspondent to Elder Page. The subject [of religion] is one which our readers take [seriously?] and one of which we believe the public [is] heartily sick.

Note: Thus ended the exchange between LDS Apostle John E. Page and his "little fish" adversary in the pages of the Pittsburgh Daily Morning Post. Page managed to get a final letter printed in the paper's columns on Dec. 8th, and a notice of his debates with William Hick in its issue of Dec. 13th, however.

A KEEN BOY. -- At the late excitement at Nauvoo, a man rode up and enquired of a boy where Joe Smith was, thinking thereby to pump the boy and arrest Smith from the information. The boy replied that the prophet had ascended to heaven on Hyram Smith's White Horse, and he was just preparing a kite to send his dinner to him. The man put spurs to his horse and rode off saying there was no finding out anything by a Mormon. -- Cin. Mic.


Note: This same article from the Cincinnatti paper was also reprinted in the Pittsburgh Daily Morning Post on Oct. 20, 1842.

Mr. Orson Pratt publishes a communication in the Nauvoo Wasp, in which he states that he has not left the Mormons; but makes no mention of Joe Smith's attack on the virtue of his wife. -- Sangamo Journal.


Pratt would deny the statements in regard to those if he could, for it has been every where published, and both he and his wife have been publicly appealed to say if it was not true. His not denying it in his communication to the Wasp, is an admission of its truth. Therefore his saying he is yet with the Mormons, is simply a declaration, that, notwithstanding Joe Smith's attempt on the chastity of his wife, he still recognizes Joe as his prophet, sent by God upon earth for the regeneration of mankind -- and womankind. This is one of the queerest phenomena in the whole circle of animal being. White men may be gratified that they are not negroes; negroes may rejoice that thy are not monkeys; but monkeys may chatter thanks to their stars that they are not Mormons. -- Louisville Journal.


Note: The Louisville Journal had previously published a number of articles on the Mormons, including two original letters written by John C. Bennett. Orson Pratt's rebuttal in the Nauvoo Wasp (against allegations made concerning Joseph Smith's attempt to add his wife to Smith's "harem") carefully avoided addressing the primary point comprising those allegations.

Somebody in St. Louis has written a play called "Mormonism," which is about to be brought out at the theatre. It is a rich subject, and if well handled by author and actors, cannot fail to succeed.

Notes: (forthcoming)