MARTIN HARRIS'S PERFIDY.
I will now give a sketch of the proceedings of Martin Harris during the
time he was absent from Joseph.
After leaving Joseph, he arrived at home with the manuscript in safety.
Soon after, he exhibited the manuscript to his wife and family. His
wife was so pleased with it, that she gave him the privilege of locking
it up in her own set of drawers, which was a special favor, for she had
never before this allowed him even the privilege of looking into them.
After he had shown the manuscript to those who had a right, according
to his oath, to see it, he went with his wife to visit one of her
relatives, who lived some ten or fifteen miles distant.
After remaining with them a short time, he returned home, but his
wife declined accompanying him back. Soon after his return, a very
particular friend of his made him a visit, to whom he related all
that he knew concerning the Record. The man's curiosity was much
excited, and, as might be expected, he earnestly desired to see the
manuscript. Martin was so anxious to gratify his friend, that, although
it was contrary to his obligation, he went to the drawer to get the
manuscript, but the key was gone. He sought for it some time, but could
not find it. Resolved, however, to carry his purpose into execution,
he picked the lock, and, in so doing, considerably injured his wife's
bureau. He then took out the manuscript, and, after showing it to this
friend, he removed it to his own set of drawers, where he could have it
at his command. Passing by his oath, he showed it to any good friend
that happened to call on him.
When Mrs. Harris returned, and discovered the marred state of her
bureau, her irascible temper was excited to the utmost pitch, and an
intolerable storm ensued, which descended with the greatest violence
upon the devoted head of her husband.
Having once made a sacrifice of his conscience, Mr. Harris no longer
regarded its scruples; so he continued to exhibit the writings, until
a short time before Joseph arrived, to any one whom he regarded as
prudent enough to keep the secret, except our family, but we were not
allowed to set our eyes upon them.
For a short time previous to Joseph's arrival, Mr. Harris had been
otherwise engaged, and thought but little about the manuscript. When
Joseph sent for him, he went immediately to the drawer where he had
left it, but, behold it was gone! He asked his wife where it was. She
solemnly averred that she did not know anything respecting it. He then
made a faithful search throughout the house, as before related.
The manuscript has never been found: and there is no doubt but Mrs.
Harris took it from the drawer, with the view of retaining it, until
another translation should be given, then, to alter the original
translation, for the purpose of showing a discrepancy between them, and
thus make the whole appear to be a deception.
It seemed as though Martin Harris, for his transgression, suffered
temporally as well as spiritually. The same day on which the foregoing
circumstance took place, a dense fog spread itself over his fields, and
blighted his wheat while in the blow, so that he lost about two-thirds
of his crop, whilst those fields which lay only on the opposite side of
the road, received no injury whatever.
I well remember that day of darkness, both within and without. To
us, at least, the heavens seemed clothed with blackness, and the
earth shrouded with gloom. I have often said within myself, that if a
continual punishment, as severe as that which we experienced on that
occasion, were to be inflicted upon the most wicked characters who ever
stood upon the footstool of the Almighty--if even their punishment were
no greater than that, I should feel to pity their condition.