PREFACE.

The following narrative, the result of a few weeks' leisure on

shipboard, is presented to the Christian public, with a deep sense, on

the Author's part, of the iniquity of an imposture, which, under the

name of religion, is spreading extensively in America and in Great

Britain. Mormonism needs but to be seen in its true light to be hated;

and if the following pages, consisting almost exclusively of the

personal testimony of the Author, should assist in awakening public

indignation against a cruel delusion and a preposterous heresy, he will

consider himself amply rewarded. A History of Mormonism, from its

commencement to the present time, may perhaps form the subject of a

future publication.

_Liverpool, June 19, 1842._

THE

CITY OF THE MORMONS,

_&c._

The rise and progress of a new religion afford a subject of the highest

interest to the philosophical observer. Under these circumstances human

nature may be seen in a novel aspect. We behold the mind grasping at an

ideal form of perfection, exulting in the imaginary possession of

revelations, and rejoicing in its fancied intercourse with the Supreme

Being. A new religion must, of necessity, be regarded by Christians as a

mere imposture. Painful, however, as it is to contemplate our

fellow-beings deceiving and deceived, it is instructive, on the one

hand, to watch the demeanour of those who have succeeded in establishing

a spiritual dominion, and, on the other hand, to notice the conduct of

those who believe themselves surrounded by the full blaze of prophecy

and miracle.

Nor is the growth of a new religion a subject merely of philosophical

curiosity. In a historical point of view it is worthy of all the light

which careful investigation can bestow. The cause of truth imperatively

demands that the progress of error should be diligently noted. How

gladly should we receive the testimony of one who had been a witness of

the early growth of the religion of Mahomet! How highly should we esteem

an authentic account of the process by which the corrupt Christian of

the seventh century was gradually alienated from the faith of his

fathers, and induced to accept as divine the "revelations" of the

Arabian impostor!

To give such a testimony, to describe such a process, is within the

power of the traveller at the present day. In Western America, amid

countless forms of schism, a new religion has arisen, as if in

punishment for the sins of Christendom. Like Mahometanism, it possesses

many features in common with the religion of Christ. It professes to

admit the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments, it even

acknowledges the Trinity, the Atonement and Divinity of the Messiah. But

it has cast away that Church which Christ erected upon the foundation of

Apostles and Prophets, and has substituted a false church in its stead.

It has introduced a new book as a depository of the revelations of God,

which in practice has almost superseded the sacred Scriptures. It

teaches men to regard a profane and ignorant impostor as a special

prophet of the Almighty, and to consider themselves as saints while in

the practice of impiety. It robs them sometimes of their substance, and

too often of their honesty; and finally sends them, beneath a shade of

deep spiritual darkness, into the presence of that God of truth whose

holy faith they have denied.

At the first preaching of Mormonism, sensible and religious persons,

both in Europe and in America, rather ridiculed than seriously opposed

it. They imagined it to be an absurd delusion, which would shortly

overturn itself. But system and discipline, almost equal to those of

Rome, have been brought to its aid. What was at first crude and

undigested, has been gradually reduced to shape and proportion. At the

present moment Mormonism numbers more than a hundred thousand adherents,

a large portion of whom are natives of Christian and enlightened

England.

The immediate cause of my visit to Nauvoo was the following. Early in

April, 1842, business took me to St. Louis, a city of thirty thousand

inhabitants, situated on the western bank of the Mississippi, from which

Kemper College is six miles distant. Curiosity led me to the river's

side, where about forty steam-boats were busily engaged in receiving or

discharging their various cargoes. The spectacle was truly exciting. The

landing-place (or _levee_, as it is denominated) was literally swarming

with life. Here a ponderous consignment of lead had arrived from Galena,

four hundred miles to the north, and the crew were piling it upon the

shore in regular and well-constructed layers. There a quantity of

ploughs, scythes, and other agricultural implements, crowded the decks

of a steamer which had just finished a westward voyage of fourteen

hundred miles from Pittsburg. In another place, a vessel that had

descended the rapid current of the Missouri for many hundred miles in

an easterly direction, was landing pork and other produce of the fertile

West; while farther down a large steam-boat from New Orleans, crowded

with passengers from the South, having completed her voyage of twelve

hundred miles, was blowing off the steam from her high pressure engines

with a noise like thunder.

Desiring to know something respecting the passengers in the last boat, I

proceeded on board; and as soon as the stoppage of the steam permitted

me to be heard, I inquired of the clerk of the boat how many persons he

had brought from New Orleans. "Plenty of live stock," was his reply,

"plenty of live stock; we have three hundred English emigrants, all on

their way to join Joe Smith, the prophet at Nauvoo." I walked into that

portion of the vessel appropriated to the poorer class of travellers,

and here I beheld my unfortunate countrymen crowded together in a most

comfortless manner. I addressed myself to some of them, and found that

they were from the neighbourhood of Preston in Lancashire. They were

decent-looking people, and by no means of the lowest class. I took the

liberty of questioning them respecting their plans, and found that they

were indeed the dupes of the missionaries of Mormonism. I begged them to

be on their guard, and suggested to them the importance of not

committing themselves and their property to a person who had long been

known in that country as a deceiver. They were, however, bent upon

completing the journey which they had designed, and although they

civilly listened to my statements, they professed to be guided in

reference to the prophet by that perverted precept of Scripture; "Prove

all things, hold fast that which is good."

From this moment I determined to visit the stronghold of the new

religion, and to obtain, if possible, an interview with the prophet

himself. Accordingly, on Friday evening, April 15th, I embarked on board

the fine steamer "Republic," bound, as her advertisement assured me,

"for Galena, Dubuque, and Prairie du Chien." I had laid aside my

clerical apparel, and had assumed a dress in which there was little

probability of my being recognized as a "minister of the Gentiles." In

order to test the scholarship of the prophet, I had further provided

myself with an ancient Greek manuscript of the Psalter written upon

parchment, and probably about six hundred years old. Shortly after six

o'clock our paddles were in motion, and we were stemming the rapid

current of the "Father of waters," while the booming of our

high-pressure engine re-echoed from the buildings and the woods along

the shore. The passengers were principally emigrants from the eastern

states, on their way to the new settlements in Iowa and Wisconsin. Those

in the cabin were so numerous, that our long supper-table was three

times replenished at our evening meal; while a still greater number

crowded the apartments of the deck passengers. During the night we

passed the confluence of the Missouri and the Mississippi, and in the

morning we were pushing our way through the comparatively clear waters,

and along the woody banks of the Upper Mississippi. Occasionally we

passed a small village, and two or three times during the day we landed

at some rising town; but generally the scene was one in which nature

enjoyed undisturbed repose. The river was high from frequent rains in

the upper country, and its surface was about one foot lower than the top

of the verdant banks. Our cabin windows were frequently brushed by the

branches and clustering foliage of the cotton-wood trees; the

sugar-maple, and the sycamore, were putting forth their early leaves at

a short distance in the background, and one dense mass of heavy timber

covered the picturesque bluffs to their very summit. The day was

pleasant, and I sat almost constantly upon the highest or "hurricane"

deck, enjoying a fine prospect of the noble river and its shores. During

the following night we continued our ascending course, and early on

Sunday morning we were at the foot of the "Des Moines Rapids," with

Illinois on the right hand, and Iowa on the left. The rapids prevent the

passage of steam-boats during the greater part of the year, on account

of the shallowness of the water and the strength of the current. As the

river was now full, we experienced no difficulty, and slowly made our

way against a stream running perhaps seven miles an hour. The

Mississippi is here about a mile and a half in width, and forms a

beautiful curve. On the western side were a number of new houses with

gardens neatly fenced, and occupied, I was told, by Mormon emigrants who

had recently arrived. Farther onward the bluffs of Iowa rose boldly from

the water's edge, while on the Illinois or eastern side, as the steamer

gradually came round the curve, the Mormon city opened upon my view. At

length, Nauvoo in all its "latter-day glory" lay before me. The

landing-place being difficult of access from the rapidity of the

current, the steamer took me to Montrose immediately opposite, and

touching for a moment, while I stepped on shore, in the next moment was

again ploughing the descending waters.

Here I was in Iowa, two hundred and thirty miles from St. Louis, fifteen

hundred miles from the mouth of the majestic river before me, and two

thousand miles west of New York by the ordinary course of travel. It was

nine o'clock on Sunday morning; the sun was shining brightly, as usual

in this region, and a strong breeze had raised a moderate swell on the

face of the stream. No ferryman was to be found, and for a few minutes

it was a problem how I should cross to Nauvoo. The problem was soon

solved by the appearance of a long and narrow canoe, hewed from the

trunk of a tree, and lying close to the bank. In this doubtful-looking

craft, thirteen Mormons on their way to the meeting in Nauvoo, proceeded

to take their seats. At my request they accommodated me with a place,

and shortly afterwards pushed from the shore, and put their paddles in

motion. They worked their way with some difficulty, until they reached

two islands near the middle of the river. Between these there was no

swell, and little wind; but the current ran against us through a narrow

passage with the rapidity of a mill-race. Here I thought we should be

effectually baffled, and more than once the canoe seemed to yield to the

stream. At length the stout sinews of the Mormons prevailed, and we were

again in open water. After labouring hard for more than half an hour we

safely landed at Nauvoo.

The situation of the place is rather striking. Above the curve of the

Des Moines rapids the Mississippi makes another curve almost

semicircular towards the east. The ground included within the semicircle

is level, and upon this site the city has been laid out. The streets

extend across the semicircle east and west, being limited at each

extremity by the river. These streets are intersected at right angles by

others, which, running northward to the river, are bounded on the south

by a rising ground, on the summit of which the temple is in the course

of erection. It was to this last-mentioned spot that with my companions

I directed my steps. Having ascended the hill, I found myself close to a

large unfinished stone building, the walls of which had advanced eight

or ten feet above the ground. This was the Temple. The view of the

winding Mississippi from this elevation was truly grand, and the whole

of the lower part of the town was distinctly seen. I was informed by my

companions that the population of Nauvoo was about ten thousand; but

subsequent inquiry led me to place the estimate three or four thousand

lower.

The temple being unfinished, about half-past ten o'clock a congregation

of perhaps two thousand persons assembled in a grove, within a short

distance of the sanctuary. Their appearance was quite respectable, and

fully equal to that of dissenting meetings generally in the western

country. Many grey-headed old men were there, and many well-dressed

females. I perceived numerous groups of the peasantry of old England;

their sturdy forms, their clear complexions, and their heavy movements,

strongly contrasting with the slight figure, the sallow visage, and the

elastic step of the American. There, too, were the bright and innocent

looks of little children, who, born among the privileges of England's

Church, baptized with her consecrated waters, and taught to lisp her

prayers and repeat her catechism, had now been led into this den of

heresy, to listen to the ravings of a false prophet, and to imbibe the

principles of a semi-pagan delusion.

The officiating elders not having yet arrived, the congregation listened

for some time to the performances of a choir of men and women, directed

by one who appeared to be a professional singing-master. At length two

elders came forward, and ascended a platform rudely constructed of

planks and logs. One wore a blue coat, and his companion, a stout

intemperate-looking man, appeared in a thick jacket of green baize. He

in the blue coat gave out a hymn, which was sung, but with little

spirit, by the congregation, all standing. He then made a few

common-place remarks on the nature of prayer; after which, leaning

forward on a railing in front of the platform, he began to pray. Having

dwelt for a few minutes on the character and perfections of the

Almighty, he proceeded in the following strain:--

"We thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast in these latter days restored the

gifts of prophecy, of revelation, of great signs and wonders, as in the

days of old. We thank Thee that, as thou didst formerly raise up thy

servant Joseph to deliver his brethren in Egypt, so Thou hast now

raised up another Joseph to save his brethren from bondage to sectarian

delusion, and to bring them into this great and good land, a land

flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands, and which

Thou didst promise to be an inheritance for the seed of Jacob for

ever-more. We pray for thy servant and prophet Joseph, that Thou

wouldest bless him and prosper him, that although the archers have

sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him, his bow may abide in

strength, and the arms of his hands may be made strong by the hands of

the mighty God of Jacob. We pray also for thy holy temple, that the

nations of the earth may bring gold and incense, that the sons of

strangers may build up its walls, and fly to it as a cloud, and as doves

to their windows. We pray Thee also to hasten the ingathering of thy

people, every man to his heritage and every man to his land. We pray

that as thou hast set up this place as an ensign for the nations, so

Thou wouldest continue to assemble here the outcasts, and gather

together the dispersed from the four corners of the earth. May every

valley be exalted, and every mountain and hill be made low, and the

crooked places straight, and the rough places plain, and may the glory

of the Lord be revealed and all flesh see it together! Bring thy sons

from far, and thy daughters from the ends of the earth, and let them

bring their silver and their gold with them."

Thus he proceeded for perhaps half an hour, after which he sat down, and

the elder in green baize, having thrown aside his jacket,--for the heat

of the sun was now considerable,--commenced a discourse.

He began by stating the importance of forming correct views of the

character of God. People were generally content with certain

preconceived views on this subject derived from tradition. These views

were for the most part incorrect. The common opinion respecting God made

him an unjust God, a partial God, a cruel God, a God worthy only of

hatred; in fact, "the greatest devil in the universe." Thus also people

in general had been "traditioned" to suppose that divine revelation was

confined to the old-fashioned book called the Bible, a book principally

written in Asia, by Jews, and suited to particular circumstances and

particular classes. On the other hand, they supposed that this vast

continent of America had been destitute of all revelation for five

thousand years, until Columbus discovered it, and "the good, pious,

precise Puritans brought over with them, some two hundred years since,

that precious old book called the Bible." Now God had promised to judge

all men without respect of persons. If, therefore, the American

aborigines had never received a revelation, and were yet to be judged

together with the Jews and the Christians, God was most horribly unjust;

and he, for his part, would never love such a God; he could only hate

him. He said there was a verse somewhere in the Bible, he could not tell

where, as he was "a bad hand at quoting," but he thought it was in the

Revelation. "If it's not there," he said, "read the whole book through,

and you'll find it, I guess, somewhere. I hav'n't a Bible with me, I

left mine at home, as it ain't necessary." Now this verse, he proceeded

to observe, stated that Christ had redeemed men by his blood out of

_every_ kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and had made them

unto God kings and priests. But in America there were the ruins of vast

cities, and wonderful edifices, which proved that great and civilized

nations had existed on this continent. If the Bible was true, therefore,

God must have had priests and kings among those nations, and numbers of

them must have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Revelations from

God must consequently have been granted to them. The Old and New

Testaments were therefore only portions of the revelations of God, and

not a complete revelation, nor were they designed to be so. "Am I to

believe," said he, "that God would cast me or any body else into hell,

without giving me a revelation?" God now revealed Himself in America

just as truly as he had ever done in Asia. The present congregation

lived in the midst of wonders and signs equal to those mentioned in the

Bible, and they had the blessing of revelation mainly through the medium

of that chosen servant of God, Joseph Smith. The Gentiles often came to

Nauvoo to look at the prophet Joseph--old Joe, as they profanely termed

him--and to see what he was doing; but many who came to laugh remained

to pray, and soon the kings and nobles of the earth would count it a

privilege to come to Nauvoo and behold the great work of the Lord in

these latter days. "The work of God is prospering," he said, "in

England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; in Australia, and at the Cape of

Good Hope, in the East and West Indies, in Palestine, in Africa, and

throughout America, thousands and tens of thousands are getting

converted by our preachers, are baptized for the remission of sins, and

are selling off all they have that they may come to Nauvoo. The great

and glorious work has begun, and I defy all earth and hell to stop it."

A hymn was now sung; and afterwards a tall, thin, New-England Yankee,

with a strong nasal twang and provincial accent, rose up, and leaning

forward on the railing, spoke for half an hour with great volubility. He

said that his office required him to speak of business. They were all

aware that God had by special revelation appointed a committee of four

persons, and had required them to build a house unto his name, such a

one as his servant, Joseph, should show them. That the said house should

be called the "Nauvoo House," and should be for a house of boarding:

that the kings and nobles of the earth, and all weary travellers, might

lodge therein, while they should contemplate the word of the Lord, and

the corner-stone, which He had appointed for Zion. That in this house

the Lord had said that there should be reserved a suite of rooms for his

servant Joseph, and his seed after him from generation to generation.

And that the Lord had also commanded that stock should be subscribed by

the saints, and received by the committee for the purpose of building

the house. The speaker proceeded as follows:--"Now, brethren, the Lord

has commanded this work, and the work _must_ be done. Yes; it _shall_ be

done--it _will_ be done. The Gentiles, the men of the world, tell us

that such stock must pay twenty-five per cent. per annum, and the Lord

hath required us to take stock; surely, then, when duty and interest go

together, you will not be backward to contribute. But only a small

amount of stock has hitherto been taken, and the committee appointed by

the Lord have had to go on borrowing, and borrowing, until they can

borrow no longer. In the mean time, the mechanics employed on the house

want their pay, and the committee are not able to pay them. We have a

boat ready to be towed up the river to the pine country, to get pinewood

for the edifice. We have a crew engaged, and all ready to start; but we

cannot send out the expedition without money. The committee have made

great personal sacrifices to fulfil the commandment of the Lord: I

myself came here with seven thousand dollars, and now I have only two

thousand, having expended five thousand upon the work of the Lord. But

we cannot go on in this way any longer. I call on you, brethren, to obey

God's command, and take stock, even though you may not dress so finely

as you do now, or build such fine houses. Let not the poor man say, I am

too poor; but let the poor man contribute out of his poverty, and the

rich man out of his wealth, and God will give you a blessing."

During this address, I noticed some of the English emigrants whom I had

seen a few days previously on board the steam-boat at St. Louis. They

were listening with fixed attention, and, doubtless, considering how

many of their hard-earned sovereigns should be devoted to the pious work

of building a fine hotel for the prophet and his posterity. The thought

arose in my mind, that these earnest appeals for money were designed

mainly for the ears of the three hundred green saints who had just

arrived.

This address being concluded, two other elders followed in a similar

strain. They spoke with great fluency, and appeared equally familiar

with worldly business and operations in finance, as with prophecies and

the book of Mormon. At length, having, as they supposed, wrought up the

zeal of the congregation to a sufficient pitch, they called on all

believers in the book of Mormon, who felt disposed to take stock, to

come forward before the congregation, and give in their names with the

amount of their subscriptions. Upon this appeal, there was much

whispering among the audience; and I detected two Mormons, apparently

from Yorkshire, in the very act of nodding and winking at each other.

However, none came forward; and one of the elders coolly remarked,--that

as they appeared not to have made up their minds as to the amount which

they would take, he requested all who wished to become stockholders to

come to his house the next afternoon at five o'clock.

The elder who had delivered the first discourse now rose, and said that

a certain brother, whom he named, had lost a keg of white lead. "Now,"

said he, "if any of the brethren present has taken it by mistake,

thinking it was his own, he ought to restore it; but if any of the

brethren present has stolen the keg, much more ought he to restore it;

or else, may be, he will get _cotched_; and that, too, within the

corporation limits of the city of Nauvoo."

Another person rose and stated that he had lost a ten-dollar bill. He

had never lost any money before in his life; he always kept it very

safely; but now, a ten-dollar bill had escaped from him, and if any of

the brethren had found it, or taken it, he hoped it would be restored.

A hymn was now sung, and the service (if such it may be called) having

continued from half-past ten o'clock till two, finally concluded. As the

congregation dispersed, I walked with the Mormon who had brought me over

in his canoe, to see the temple. The building is a hundred and twenty

feet in length, by eighty in breadth; and is designed to be the finest

edifice west of Philadelphia. The Mormon informed me, that in this house

the Lord designed to reveal unto his Church things which had been kept

secret from the foundation of the world; and that He had declared that

He would here restore the fulness of the priesthood. He showed me the

great baptismal font, which is completed, and stands at the centre of

the unfinished temple. This font is, in fact, a capacious laver,

eighteen or twenty feet square, and about four in depth. It rests upon

the backs of twelve oxen, as large as life, and tolerably well

sculptured; but for some reason, perhaps mystical, entirely destitute of

_feet_, though possessed of legs. The laver and oxen are of wood, and

painted white; but are to be hereafter gilded, or covered with plates of

gold. At this place baptisms for the dead are to be celebrated, as well

as baptisms for the healing of diseases; but baptisms for the remission

of sins are to be performed in the Mississippi. My companion told me

that he was originally a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in

Canada; but that he had obtained greater light, and had been led to join

the "latter-day saints." While he was a methodist he felt that he was

perfectly right, and could confute all other sects, except the Roman

Catholics. These had so much of the true and ancient Church mixed up

with their corruptions, that he could not readily confute them. Many

passages of the Scriptures remained at that time perfectly inexplicable

to him, and he felt that no denomination was organized exactly on the

primitive plan. But since he had been led to embrace Mormonism, new

light had opened upon his soul; the Scriptures had become perfectly

clear, and he had discovered a Church entirely conformable to the

primitive model; having the same divinely appointed ministry; the same

miraculous gifts of healing, and the unknown tongues; the same

prophetical inspiration; the same close intercourse with the Almighty. I

observed, that the truth of Mormonism depended on the determination of

the question, whether Joseph Smith was, in fact, a prophet of God. He

replied, that the inspiration of Joseph could be proved more readily

than that of Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel. That Joseph had received

revelations ever since he was fifteen years of age; and that the

outlines of Mormonism were made known to him at a time when he could not

possibly have planned so vast a work, or anticipated its triumphant

success. While conversing on these subjects, we arrived at the "Nauvoo

House," the hotel founded by "revelation." The walls are advanced about

as much as those of the temple, and, when completed, will form a

capacious building. Passing the prophet Smith's house, which is one of

the best in the city, I arrived at a small, but neat, tavern, where I

called to get dinner. An old woman, apparently the mistress of the

house, was seated by the fire, devoutly reading the book of Mormon,

from which she scarcely lifted her eyes as I entered. Here I found a

decent, and probably intelligent, Scotchman. Conversing with him on the

subject of the services which I had just witnessed, I remarked how

greatly deficient they appeared in dignity and spirituality; and

contrasted them with the decorous and solemn worship of the Church of

England, and of the Scottish Kirk. I particularly referred to the keg of

white lead and the ten-dollar bill, as well as to the derogatory manner

in which the preacher had alluded to "the old-fashioned book called the

Bible." Although I endeavoured to speak with mildness, the Scotchman

replied with great warmth, that the English and Scottish Churches taught

lies, and that their members loved lies more than truth. That all their

solemnity was produced by hypocrisy and false doctrines respecting God.

That the Mormons despised long faces, and all religions which required

people to wear a sanctimonious and hypocritical exterior. He added, that

Mormonism was making rapid progress in Scotland.

From the tavern, I proceeded to the landing-place, and engaged the

ferryman to take me over to Montrose, on the Iowa side of the river. I

found this person to be a Mormon; and learned from him, that the ferry

was the property of the prophet Joseph. He further informed me, that the

number of passengers had become so considerable, that a steam ferry-boat

had been purchased, and would soon be in operation. I afterwards found

that his opinion of the character of his brethren, "the saints," was by

no means flattering to them. He told a person in Montrose, that it was

"no use to hoist a flag at Nauvoo as a signal to passengers, for it was

sure to be stolen by the people there; they had so much of the devil in

them."

On arriving at Montrose, I went to the house of a gentleman to whom I

had brought letters of introduction from St. Louis. This gentleman, with

his lady and his brother, has resided many years at Montrose; and as he

possesses the independence to resist the encroachments of the Mormons,

and the ability to expose their designs, he has been an object of

constant persecution since the settlement of these people in his

vicinity. He at once desired me to make his house my home, and offered

me every assistance in prosecuting my researches. Under his hospitable

roof I spent a pleasant evening. His family united with me in religious

services (for there is no place of worship in the neighbourhood); and,

after the awful proceedings of the morning, I felt happy to be once more

among Christians.

On the following morning (Monday, April 18th), I took my venerable Greek

manuscript of the Psalter, and proceeded to the ferry to obtain a

passage. The boatman, being engaged to take over a family emigrating to

Nauvoo, had provided himself with a heavy flat-boat, which promised us a

long voyage. The family soon came on board. It consisted of a

simple-looking American, his wife, and a numerous progeny. They had with

them two oxen, two cows and a calf, bedding, tables, chairs, and a

wooden clock. As we were about to push off, a traveller on horseback

came on board, whom I found to be one of the numerous "Gentiles" induced

by curiosity to visit the "Zion" of the West. The father of the family

stated that he had become confounded by the conflicting doctrines of the

sects, and imagined that in Mormonism he had finally discovered the only

true Church. Our heavy boat was rowed up about a mile close to the Iowa

shore. Having proceeded considerably above Nauvoo, the ferryman and his

men began to venture out into the broad stream, in order to cross. As I

was in haste to get over, I was permitted to take the small skiff

alongside, and, in company with the emigrant, to pull over to Nauvoo. On

the way, I held some conversation with my companion, and found him to be

thoroughly wedded to his delusion. Arriving at the city, I passed along

a straggling street of considerable length bordering on the strand.

Perceiving a respectable-looking store (or shop), I entered it, and

began to converse with the storekeeper. I mentioned that I had been

informed that Mr. Smith possessed some remarkable Egyptian curiosities,

which I wished to see. I added that, if Mr. Smith could be induced to

show me his treasures, I would show him in return a very wonderful book

which had lately come into my possession. The storekeeper informed me

that Mr. Smith was absent, having gone to Carthage that morning; but

that he would return about nine o'clock in the evening. He promised to

obtain for me admission to the curiosities, and begged to be permitted

to see the wonderful book. I accordingly unfolded it from the many

wrappers in which I had enveloped it, and, in the presence of the

storekeeper and many astonished spectators, whom the rumour of the

arrival of a strange book had collected, I produced to view its covers

of worm-eaten oak, its discoloured parchments, and its mysterious

characters. Surprise was depicted on the countenances of all present,

and, after a long silence, one person wiser than his fellows, declared

that he knew it to be a revelation from the Lord, and that probably it

was one of the lost books of the Bible providentially recovered. Looking

at me with a patronizing air, he assured me that I had brought it to the

right place to get it interpreted, for that none on earth but the Lord's

prophet could explain it, or unfold its real antiquity and value. "Oh,"

I replied, "I am going to England next week, and doubtless I shall find

some learned man in one of the universities who can expound it." To this

he answered with a sneer, that the Lord had chosen the weak things of

the world to confound the mighty; that he had made foolish the wisdom of

this world; and that I ought to thank Providence for having brought me

to Nauvoo, where the hidden things of darkness could be revealed by

divine power. All expressed the utmost anxiety that I should remain in

the city until the prophet's return. The storekeeper offered immediately

to send an express eighteen miles to Carthage, to hasten the return of

Joseph. This I declined, and told him that my stay in Nauvoo must be

very limited. They promised to pay all my expenses, if I would remain;

and assured me that they would ferry me over the river as often as I

desired it, free of charge; besides furnishing me with a carriage and

horses to visit the beautiful prairies in the vicinity. At length I

yielded to their importunities, and promised, that if they would bring

me over from Montrose on the following morning, I would exhibit the book

to the prophet. They were very desirous that I should remain at Nauvoo

during the night; but as I had my fears that some of the saints might

have a revelation, requiring them to take my book while I slept, I very

respectfully declined their pressing invitation. They then requested to

know where I was staying in Montrose. I mentioned the name of my

hospitable entertainer; upon which they used the most violent language

against him, and said that he was their bitter enemy and persecutor,

that he was as bad as the people of Missouri, and that I ought not to

believe a word that he said. They again pressed me most earnestly not to

return to Montrose; but I continued firm, and expressed my intention of

hearing both sides of the question.

The storekeeper now proceeded to redeem his promise of obtaining for me

access to the curiosities. He led me to a room behind his store, on the

door of which was an inscription to the following effect: "Office of

Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Latter Day Saints." Having

introduced me, together with several Mormons, to this _sanctum

sanctorum_, he locked the door behind him, and proceeded to what

appeared to be a small chest of drawers. From this he drew forth a

number of glazed slides, like picture frames, containing sheets of

papyrus, with Egyptian inscriptions and hieroglyphics. These had been

unrolled from four mummies, which the prophet had purchased at a cost of

twenty-four hundred dollars. By some inexplicable mode, as the

storekeeper informed me, Mr. Smith had discovered that these sheets

contained the writings of Abraham, written with his own hand while in

Egypt. Pointing to the figure of a man lying on a table, he said, "That

is the picture of Abraham on the point of being sacrificed. That man

standing by him with a drawn knife is an idolatrous priest of the

Egyptians. Abraham prayed to God, who immediately unloosed his bands,

and delivered him." Turning to another of the drawers, and pointing to a

hieroglyphic representation, one of the Mormons said, "Mr. Smith informs

us that this picture is an emblem of redemption. Do you see those four

little figures? Well, those are the four quarters of the earth. And do

you see that big dog looking at the four figures? That is the old Devil

desiring to devour the four quarters of the earth. Look at this person

keeping back the big dog. That is Jesus Christ keeping the devil from

devouring the four quarters of the earth. Look down this way. This

figure near the side is Jacob, and those are his two wives. Now do you

see those steps?" "What," I replied, "do you mean those stripes across

the dress of one of Jacob's wives?" "Yes," he said, "that is Jacob's

ladder." "That is indeed curious," I remarked; "Jacob's ladder standing

on the ground, and only reaching up to his wife's waist."

After this edifying explanation, a very respectable looking Mormon asked

me to walk over to his house. This person was one of the committee

appointed by "revelation" to build the "Nauvoo house." He informed me

that he had migrated from the Johnstown District in Upper Canada. He

would have returned to that country before, had he not been desirous of

remaining to see the wonderful works of the Lord in Nauvoo. He preferred

Canada to the United States; and the British government was, in his

opinion, greatly superior to that of the Americans, which he considered

little better than an organized mob, especially in the Western States.

He regarded a strong monarchy as essential to good government, and

believed that this opinion was generally held among the "Saints." In the

event of a war between England and America, England might rely upon it

that the Mormons would not be her enemies. The Indians, too, whom the

Americans had persecuted almost as badly as the Missourians had

persecuted the Mormons, were decidedly friendly to England. He had

lately been among their tribes, and had found everywhere English muskets

bearing the date of 1839. The Indians were already making preparations

for espousing the cause of England in a war with America. He foretold

that great desolation was about to be inflicted on America by England,

with the assistance of the oppressed negroes and Indians. The

conversation was now interrupted by the entrance of numerous Mormons,

who begged to be permitted to see and handle the wonderful book. They

all looked upon it as something supernatural, and considered that I

undervalued it greatly, by reason of my ignorance of its contents. It

was in vain I assured them that a slight acquaintance with Greek would

enable any person to decipher its meaning. They were unanimous in the

opinion that none but their prophet could explain it; and congratulated

me on the providence which had brought me and my wonderful book to

Nauvoo. The crowd having cleared away, my host asked me to give my

opinion of Nauvoo. I told him that it was certainly a remarkable place,

and in a beautiful situation; but that I considered it the offspring of

a most astonishing and unaccountable delusion. He said that he admired

my candour, and was not surprised at my unbelief, seeing that I was a

stranger to the people and to the evidences of their faith. He then

proceeded to inform me respecting these evidences. He assured me, in the

first place, that America had been mentioned by the prophet Isaiah. I

begged for the chapter and verse. He pointed to the sentence,--"Woe to

the land shadowing with wings." Now to what land could this refer, but

to North and South America, which stretched across the world with two

great wings, like those of an eagle? "Stop," I said; "does not the

prophet describe the situation of the land? Observe that he says, 'it is

beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.'" "Well," said my host, "that may be

true; but is not America beyond Ethiopia?" "Have you a map?" I said.

"Yes," he replied, "here is my little girl's school atlas." "Now tell

me," I said, "where Isaiah wrote his book." "In Palestine," he answered.

"Very well," I replied; "now tell me in what direction from Palestine is

Ethiopia?" "South, by the map," was the reply. "In what direction from

Palestine is America?" "West," he answered. "Now do you think that

Isaiah, as a man of common sense, to say nothing of his prophetical

character, would have described a country in the west, as lying _beyond_

another which is due south?" He was silent for a moment, and then

confessed that he had never thought of studying the Bible by the map;

"but probably this map was wrong." I now requested him to let me know

the number of troops composing the Nauvoo Legion. He informed me that

they consisted at present of seventeen hundred men. He had taken the

oath of allegiance to Queen Victoria, and on this account had not

connected himself with the legion. The discipline of this band he

considered superior to that of the American militia generally, but

inferior to that of British troops, or even of the Canadian militia. He

believed that the Mormons held many doctrines in common with the

Irvingites and other sects in England. He cherished the belief in a

separate place of departed spirits distinct from heaven and hell, and in

a future restoration of all souls to the divine favour. He considered

that when the restitution of all things takes place, the earth will be

purified, and then transferred from its present sphere to a brighter and

more glorious system.

Having listened with due attention to the instructions of my host, I

walked over to the store, where the storekeeper expressed his readiness

to show me the mummies. Accordingly he led the way to a small house, the

residence of the prophet's mother. On entering the dwelling, I was

introduced to this eminent personage as a traveller from England,

desirous of seeing the wonders of Nauvoo. She welcomed me to the holy

city, and told me that here I might see what great things the Lord had

done for his people. "I am old," she said, "and I shall soon stand

before the judgment-seat of Christ; but what I say to you now, I would

say on my death-bed. My son Joseph has had revelations from God since he

was a boy, and he is indeed a true prophet of Jehovah. The angel of the

Lord appeared to him fifteen years since, and shewed him the cave where

the original golden plates of the book of Mormon were deposited. He

shewed him also the Urim and Thummim, by which he might understand the

meaning of the inscriptions on the plates, and he shewed him the golden

breastplate of the high priesthood. My son received these precious

gifts, he interpreted the holy record, and now the believers in that

revelation are more than a hundred thousand in number. I have myself

seen and handled the golden plates; they are about eight inches long,

and six wide; some of them are sealed together and are not to be opened,

and some of them are loose. They are all connected by a ring which

passes through a hole at the end of each plate, and are covered with

letters beautifully engraved. I have seen and felt also the Urim and

Thummim. They resemble two large bright diamonds set in a bow like a

pair of spectacles. My son puts these over his eyes when he reads

unknown languages, and they enable him to interpret them in English. I

have likewise carried in my hands the sacred breastplate. It is composed

of pure gold, and is made to fit the breast very exactly."

While the old woman was thus delivering herself, I fixed my eyes

steadily upon her. She faltered, and seemed unwilling to meet my glance;

but gradually recovered her self-possession. The melancholy thought

entered my mind, that this poor old creature was not simply a dupe of

her son's knavery; but that she had taken an active part in the

deception. Several English and American women were in the room, and

seemed to treat her with profound veneration.

I produced my wonderful book. The old woman scrutinized its pages, and

in an oracular manner assured me that the Lord was now bringing to light

the hidden things of darkness according to his word; that my manuscript

was doubtless a revelation which had long been hidden, and which was now

to be made known to the world, by means of her son the prophet Joseph.

She then directed me up a steep flight of stairs into a chamber, and

slowly crept up after me. She showed me a wretched cabinet, in which

were four naked mummies frightfully disfigured, and in fact, most

disgusting relics of mortality. One she said was a king of Egypt whom

she named, two were his wives, and the remaining one was the daughter of

another king. I asked her by what means she became acquainted with the

names and histories of these mummies. She replied, that her son had

obtained this knowledge through the mighty power of God. She accounted

for the disfigured condition of the mummies, by a circumstance rather

illustrative of the back-woods. Some difficulty having been found in

unrolling the papyrus which enveloped them, an axe was applied, by which

the unfortunate mummies were literally chopped open. I requested her to

furnish me with a "Book of Mormon." She accordingly permitted me to take

one of the first edition belonging to her daughter Lavinia, for which I

paid the young lady a dollar.

From Mr. Smith's residence I proceeded to the Mormon printing office,

where the official papers and "revelations" of the prophet are published

in a semi-monthly magazine, denominated the "Times and Seasons." Here I

purchased this magazine complete for the last year, the history of the

persecution of the Mormons by the people of Missouri, and other

documents of importance. The storekeeper met me at the printing-office,

and introduced several dignitaries of the "Latter-day Church," and many

other Mormons, to whom he begged me to exhibit my wonderful book. While

they were examining it with great apparent interest, one of the

preachers informed me that he had spent the last year in England, and

that, with the aid of an associate, he had baptized in that country

seven thousand saints. He had visited the British Museum, where he

affirmed that he had seen nothing so extraordinary as my wonderful book.

The Mormon authorities now formally requested me to sell them the book,

for which they were willing to pay a high price. This I positively

refused, and they next importuned me to lend it to them, so that the

prophet might translate it. They promised to give bonds to a

considerable amount, that it should be forthcoming whenever I requested

it. I was still deaf to their entreaties, and having promised to shew

the book to their prophet on the ensuing day, I left them and returned

to Montrose.

On arriving at the house of Mr. K. my hospitable entertainer, I was

informed by him that the Mormons on the Iowa side of the river had been

busily engaged in trying to find out who I was, and whence I came. They

had generally come to the conclusion that I was a convert to Mormonism

recently arrived from England.

After tea Mr. K. provided me with a horse, and, in company with him, I

took a delightful ride upon the prairie. The grass was of an emerald

green, and enamelled with the beautiful wild flowers of spring. Far to

the North West a line of bluffs seemed to bound the prairie at the

distance of eight or ten miles, while in other directions it extended as

far as the eye could reach. Numerous clumps of forest trees appeared at

intervals, and herds of cattle were reposing on the grass or feeding on

the rich herbage. The scene was one of novel and striking interest, and

I felt pained at the reflection that so fine a region seemed destined to

be given up to the followers of a mischievous delusion. Upon an eminence

near Montrose, I was shewn the tomb of Kalawequois, a beautiful Indian

girl of the tribe of Sacs and Foxes. She died recently at the early age

of eighteen, having lingered six years in a consumption. She was buried

on this spot by moonlight, with all the ancient ceremonies of her

nation. Adjoining her grave was the tomb of Skutah, a full-blooded

Indian "brave," and a distinguished warrior of the same tribe.

Mr. K. stated, that previously to the arrival of the Mormons, his only

neighbours were the Indians, with whom he lived on the most friendly

terms. Nothing could exceed their honesty and good faith in all their

intercourse with him: and although heathens, Mr. K. considered them

superior in morality and common sense to the "latter-day saints." Keokuk

is the present chief of the Sacs and Foxes, having succeeded to the

jurisdiction on the demise of the venerable Black Hawk, who died of

grief at the age of eighty, in consequence of the treatment experienced

by his nation at the hands of the United States. The residence of Keokuk

and the chief village of his tribe, are situated near the Des Moines

river, and about a day's journey westward of Montrose. The tribe

consisted, before the war, of about nine thousand persons, who are now

reduced to three thousand. The two sons of Black Hawk still survive, and

are noble and princely both in person and in character. The Indians have

the greatest possible contempt for Joseph Smith, and denominate him a

Tshe-wal-lis-ke, which signifies a rascal. Nor have other false prophets

risen more highly in their estimation. A few years since, that notorious

deceiver Matthias made his appearance one evening at the door of

Keokuk's "waikeop," or cabin. He wore a long beard, which was parted on

each side of his chin; a long gun was on his shoulder, and a red sash

around his waist. Keokuk demanded who he was, to which question Matthias

replied, that he was Jesus Christ the only true God, and that he was

come to gather the Indians, who were of the seed of Israel. "Well," said

Keokuk, who is a very dignified man, "perhaps you are Jesus Christ, and

perhaps you are not. If you are Jesus Christ you cannot be killed. If

you are not Jesus Christ, you are a rascal and deserve to be shot. Look

at these two fine rifle pistols; they were made in New York; they never

miss their aim. Now see me sound them with the ram-rod. They have a

tremendously heavy charge. Now I point them at you. Now I am going to

fire." At this Matthias suddenly bolted, being unwilling that his claims

should be tested by so novel and so striking a mode of theological

argument. He afterwards obtained admission, at Keokuk's request, to the

waikeop of an old Indian man and woman who lived alone. They gave him

supper, and when he had fallen asleep they made a fire, and watched him

all night, believing him to be the devil, whom they had heard described

by the Roman Catholic missionaries.

These Indians have many remarkable customs. Before undertaking a war,

their warriors fast forty days in a solitary cabin constructed of bark.

During this period, they eat barely sufficient to keep themselves alive.

They also sacrifice dogs; and having tied the dead bodies to trees about

six feet above the ground, they proceed to paint the noses and stomachs

of the victims with a deep red colour. They consult prophets, who are

provided with sacred utensils, denominated medicine bags; and which

contain the skins of "skunks," with other precious articles. When the

warriors return from their fast, the people make a great feast on dogs

which have been fattened for the occasion. None but men are allowed to

attend. At the appointed hour, the warriors may be seen travelling to

the rendezvous; each carrying, with great solemnity, his wooden bowl and

wooden spoon. At the house appointed for the feast, the dead dogs are in

readiness, together with a profusion of boiled Indian corn and beans.

Mr. K. was present on one of these occasions, and took particular notice

of the ceremonies. Some of the warriors began by cutting the dogs into

equal portions, which they placed in a large iron kettle over a fire,

and boiled for about half an hour. The remainder of the guests reclined

upon mats on both sides of the house, while the fire burned briskly at

the centre, the smoke escaping through an opening in the roof. The corn

and beans were placed all round the room in wooden dishes upon the

ground. The dog meat being sufficiently boiled, the pieces were taken

out, and every person present received his share. A distinguished

"brave" now arose, and made a speech; after which, a second stood up and

repeated the monosyllable, "ugh." At this signal, all began to eat;

holding the pieces of dog in their hands without knives or forks, and

devouring with all their might. This feast on dogs is considered a sort

of penance. Whoever swallows the whole of his portion is called a _big

brave_; while those who are made sick by it, are denominated _squaws_.

The men of this tribe enjoy themselves exceedingly at their villages

during the winter, visiting one another with great sociability. All the

hard work devolves upon the women, who cut down trees for firewood, make

the fires, and minister like slaves to the comfort and luxury of their

lords. These Indians, notwithstanding their neglect of the squaws, have

many courteous and gentlemanly habits. They have no profane word in

their vocabulary, and the most abusive words employed by them are

_liar_, _rascal_, _hog_, and _squaw_. They, however, catch with facility

the profane expressions of the whites, which they use with great

readiness, and without understanding their signification. Thus, they

will often employ an oath as a friendly salutation; and while kindly

shaking hands with a friend, will curse him in cheerful and pleasant

tones of voice.

The following morning (Tuesday, April 19th), a Mormon arrived with his

boat and ferried me over to Nauvoo. A Mormon doctor accompanied me. He

had obtained, I was told, a regular diploma from a medical school as a

physician; but since the Mormons generally prefer miraculous aid to

medicine, it is probable that his practice is somewhat limited. He

argued with me as we were on the passage, and evinced a tolerable share

of intelligence and acuteness. The success of Mormonism in England was a

subject of great rejoicing to him. I observed, that I had reason to

believe that the conquests of Mormonism in Britain had been principally

among the illiterate and uneducated. This, he partially admitted; but he

maintained that God had always chosen the poor, for they were rich in

faith. I replied, that the class of persons to whom he referred,

abounded in wrong faith no less than in right faith; and that among the

lower class of persons in England, the wildest delusions, of the most

contradictory character, had, from time to time, been readily

propagated. I further remarked, that the same class of people who

believed in Joanna Southcote, might easily be persuaded to credit the

divine mission of Joseph Smith. I begged him to inform me whether the

Mormons believed in the Trinity. "Yes," he replied; "we believe that the

Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God; that makes

three at least who are God, and no doubt there are a great many more."

He went on to state, that the Mormons believe that departed saints

become a portion of the Deity, and may be properly denominated "Gods."

On landing at Nauvoo, I proceeded with the Doctor along the street which

I mentioned before as bordering on the strand. As I advanced with my

book in my hand, numerous Mormons came forth from their dwellings,

begging to be allowed to see its mysterious pages; and by the time I

reached the prophet's house, they amounted to a perfect crowd. I met

Joseph Smith at a short distance from his dwelling, and was regularly

introduced to him. I had the honour of an interview with him who is a

prophet, a seer, a merchant, a "revelator," a president, an elder, an

editor, and the general of the "Nauvoo legion." He is a coarse, plebeian

person in aspect, and his countenance exhibits a curious mixture of the

knave and the clown. His hands are large and fat, and on one of his

fingers he wears a massive gold ring, upon which I saw an inscription.

His dress was of coarse country manufacture, and his white hat was

enveloped by a piece of black crape as a sign of mourning for his

deceased brother, Don Carlos Smith, the late editor of the "Times and

Seasons." His age is about thirty-five. I had not an opportunity of

observing his eyes, as he appears deficient in that open,

straightforward look which characterizes an honest man. He led the way

to his house, accompanied by a host of elders, bishops, preachers, and

common Mormons. On entering the house, chairs were provided for the

prophet and myself, while the curious and gaping crowd remained

standing. I handed the book to the prophet, and begged him to explain

its contents. He asked me if I had any idea of its meaning. I replied,

that I believed it to be a Greek Psalter; but that I should like to hear

his opinion. "No," he said; "it ain't Greek at all; except, perhaps, a

few words. What ain't Greek, is Egyptian; and what ain't Egyptian, is

Greek. This book is very valuable. _It is a dictionary of Egyptian

Hieroglyphics._" Pointing to the capital letters at the commencement of

each verse, he said: "Them figures is Egyptian hieroglyphics; and them

which follows, is the interpretation of the hieroglyphics, written in

the reformed Egyptian. Them characters is like the letters that was

engraved on the golden plates." Upon this, the Mormons around began to

congratulate me on the information I was receiving. "There," they said;

"we told you so--we told you that our prophet would give you

satisfaction. None but our prophet can explain these mysteries." The

prophet now turned to me, and said, "this book ain't of no use to you,

you don't understand it." "Oh yes," I replied; "it is of some use; for

if I were in want of money, I could sell it, and obtain, perhaps, enough

to live on for a whole year." "But what will you take for it?" said the

prophet and his elders. "My price," I replied, "is higher than you would

be willing to give." "What price is that?" they eagerly demanded. I

replied, "I will not tell you what price I would take; but if you were

to offer me this moment nine hundred dollars in gold for it, you should

not have it." They then repeated their request that I should lend it to

them until the prophet should have time to translate it, and promised me

the most ample security; but I declined all their proposals. I placed

the book in several envelopes, and as I deliberately tied knot after

knot, the countenances of many among them gradually sunk into an

expression of great despondency. Having exhibited the book to the

prophet, I requested him in return to shew me his papyrus; and to give

me his own explanation, which I had hitherto received only at second

hand. He proceeded with me to his office, accompanied by the multitude.

He produced the glass frames which I had seen on the previous day; but

he did not appear very forward to explain the figures. I pointed to a

particular hieroglyphic, and requested him to expound its meaning. No

answer being returned, I looked up, and behold! the prophet had

disappeared. The Mormons told me that he had just stepped out, and would

probably soon return. I waited some time, but in vain: and at length

descended to the street in front of the store. Here I heard the noise of

wheels, and presently I saw the prophet in his waggon, flourishing his

whip and driving away as fast as two fine horses could draw him. As he

disappeared from view, enveloped in a cloud of dust, I felt that I had

turned over another page in the great book of human nature.

The Mormons now surrounded me, and requested to know whether I had

received satisfaction from the prophet's explanation. I replied that the

prophet had given me no satisfaction, and that he had committed himself

most effectually. They wished to know my own religious opinions. I

informed them that I had been educated in the Church of England, to

which I was conscientiously attached. One of the Mormons said that the

Church of England had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof,

and that it was the duty of all men to turn away from her. I asked him

what he understood by the _power_ of godliness. He replied, "the power

of working miracles and of speaking in unknown tongues." He maintained

that the Church of England denied that the gifts of the Holy Ghost are

communicated at the present day to the people of God. I told him that he

was mistaken, and referred him to the passages in the "Service for the

Ordering of Priests," "Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and work

of a Priest in the Church of God." And again,

"Thou the Anointing Spirit art,

Who dost thy _sevenfold gifts_ impart."

And again,

"Thou in thy gifts art manifold,

By _them_ Christ's Church doth stand."

Another said that the ministers of the Church of England were dumb dogs,

that its bishops were regardless of the advancement of the gospel, that

their belly was their God, and that money was their idol. I inquired

whether he was particularly well acquainted with the English bishops and

clergy. He replied, that he had never been out of America; but that he

had received these accounts from travellers. I told him that I had been

personally acquainted with many of the bishops and clergy of the English

Church, and that his assertion was not agreeable to the truth. A

renegade now came forward, who stated himself to have been a member of

the Established Church of Ireland. He said that the Thirty-nine Articles

were a bundle of inconsistencies from beginning to end. I begged him to

specify some of the inconsistencies. He said that the first Article

asserts that God is without body, parts, or passions; that the second

Article teaches that Christ is God; and that the fourth Article states

that Christ ascended into heaven with his body, flesh, and bones. Thus,

he maintained, the fourth Article was inconsistent with the first. I

replied, that the same charge of inconsistency might be applied to the

Scriptures with equal fairness, and quoted the texts by which the

doctrines of the first, second, and fourth Articles are distinctly

proved. He flew off at once to another subject, and maintained that

baptism in the Church of England is not valid, inasmuch as it is not

administered by persons having authority. I asked him what constituted a

sufficient authority. He replied, "a commission from Christ, proved by

the possession of miraculous gifts." I said that the English clergy

possessed a commission from Christ, which could be proved most

conclusively, even in the absence of miraculous gifts at the present

time. He wished to know how their commission could be proved without

miracles. I told him that the bishops of the English Church, by whom the

inferior clergy are ordained, are apostles just as truly as St. Barnabas

and St. Timothy were. This statement took him altogether by surprise; he

looked at me incredulously, and wished for proof. I presented him with a

brief outline of the clear and simple argument for the Apostolic

Succession, and showed him historically that bishops have been always

consecrated by bishops from the age of inspiration to the present time;

that the commission of our Saviour to the eleven, extending as it did

through all time and all the world, _implied_ an apostolical succession

till the day of judgment; that Scripture testifies to a succession of

Apostles as long as Scripture can testify to it; and that afterwards the

continuance of the succession is proved by a vast number of Christian

writers down to the present time. He considered for a moment, and then

said, that such a succession must have come through Rome; that Rome was

the mother of harlots, and that the Church of England was the eldest of

her numerous family of daughters. "The Church of England," said he,

"reminds me of a story I heard about an old cow--" As he was becoming

abusive I thought it best to check him, and seriously requested him to

inform me whether it was an English cow or an Irish bull of which he was

speaking. At this the younger Mormons began to laugh, and Paddy seemed

rather disconcerted and was silent.

An old American in a blue home-spun suit, and with a disagreeable

expression in his face, now entered the lists against me. He told me

that I was in great darkness and unbelief, and that I ought to repent,

obey the gospel, and be baptized. I replied, that as for repentance, I

repented every day; as for obedience, without boasting, I might claim to

be equal to the "Latter-day Saints;" and as for baptism, I had been

lawfully baptized by one having authority. He said that Church of

England baptism possessed only the authority derived from Acts of

Parliament, and that the English Church was merely a Parliament Church.

I replied, that the English Church had a double sanction: first, that of

Christ--who founded the Catholic Church, of which the English Church is

a portion; and secondly, that of Parliament, by which, long after its

foundation, it was acknowledged as the National Religion. "As for you

Mormons," I said, "it is now my turn to say something about your

religion, since you have spoken freely of mine. It is easy for you to

argue as you do about the descent of the Indians from Israel, the

probability of the restoration of miraculous powers to the Church, and

the errors and inconsistencies of existing sects; but in regard to the

real question at issue, on which your religion depends, namely, the

inspiration of your prophet, you have given me no satisfaction

whatever." They requested me to state what evidence I should consider

satisfactory. I replied, "When the Jewish dispensation was to be

introduced, God enabled Moses to work great wonders with his rod. God

smote a mighty nation with miraculous plagues. He divided the Red Sea

and the River Jordan. He came down on Mount Sinai amid clouds and

lightnings and the terrific sound of the trumpet of heaven. He caused

Moses to strike the rock and the waters gushed forth. He rained down

manna for the space of forty years in the wilderness. Again, when the

Christian dispensation was to be established, Christ walked upon the

waters; He controlled the winds and the waves; He fed assembled

thousands with a few loaves and fishes; He healed the sick; He opened

the eyes of the blind; He brought the dead to life; and finally, He

raised Himself from the grave.

"You maintain that your prophet is sent to establish a third

dispensation. I demand, therefore, what signs are given to prove his

commission?"

The old man replied, that the healing of the sick, the casting out of

devils, and the speaking of unknown tongues, were very frequent in the

"Latter-day Church." I said that signs of that kind were of a very

doubtful description, since the imagination possessed great power over

the nervous system. I inquired whether Smith had ever walked across the

Mississippi, or brought a dead man to life, He replied in the negative;

but said, that among them the blind received their sight, and the ears

of the deaf were opened. I then observed, "You perceive that I am rather

deaf, and you say that I have no faith. Now can you open my ears so that

I may hear your arguments more distinctly?" Immediately the old man

stepped forward, and before I was aware of his object, thrust his

fore-fingers into my ears, and lifting up his eyes, uttered for about a

minute in a loud voice some unintelligible gibberish. "There," he said

finally, "the Holy Ghost prompted me to do that, and now you have heard

the unknown tongue." "But my hearing is not improved," I said. "That,"

he replied, "is because you have no faith. If ever you believe the Book

of Mormon, you will immediately recover perfect hearing, through the

gift of the Holy Ghost." I looked at him somewhat severely and said,

"Take care, old man, what you say. When you employ the names of Father,

Son, and Holy Ghost, you should speak with awe and reverence; but you

and other Mormons here, as far as I have observed, employ the most

sacred terms with the most disgusting levity. How miserable, how barren

were your services on last Sunday; how cold your worship, how utterly

unedifying and farcical your preaching. The Holy Ghost was manifestly

absent from your assembly, which resembled a Jewish Synagogue more than

a Christian congregation. There was no Bible, there was no Lord's

Prayer, there were no motives presented to humiliation,

self-examination, or any branch of devotion; nothing but senseless

speculations on the character of God, idle assertions of special

revelations and miraculous gifts, and disgraceful advertisements of

stolen goods." Here they interrupted me and said, that their preachers

did not need the Bible, being inspired by the Holy Ghost. "No," I said,

"it is not inspiration, it is a Satanic delusion. Your prophet has

committed himself to-day, and I will make the fact known to the world.

Would you believe a man calling himself a prophet, who should say that

black is white?" "No," they replied. "Would you believe him if he should

say that English is French?" "Certainly not." "But you heard your

prophet declare, that this book of mine is a Dictionary of Egyptian

hieroglyphics, written in characters like those of the original Book of

Mormon. I know it most positively to be the Psalms of David, written in

ancient Greek. Now what shall I think of your prophet?" They appeared

confounded for a while; but at length the Mormon doctor said, "Sometimes

Mr. Smith speaks as a prophet, and sometimes as a mere man. If he gave a

wrong opinion respecting the book, he spoke as a mere man." I said,

"Whether he spoke as a prophet or as a mere man, he has committed

himself, for he has said what is not true. If he spoke as a prophet,

therefore, he is a false prophet. If he spoke as a mere man, he cannot

be trusted, for he spoke positively and like an oracle respecting that

of which he knew nothing. You have talked to me very freely respecting

the Church to which I belong; but I hardly like to tell you what I think

respecting your religion, lest I should hurt your feelings." "Speak

out," said some. "Go on," said others. "If Smith be not a true prophet,"

I said, "you must admit that he is a gross impostor." "We must," they

replied. "Then I will freely tell you my opinion, so that you may not

think that I intend to say at a distance what I would not say in Nauvoo

itself. I think it likely that most of you are credulous and ignorant,

but well-meaning persons, and that the time at least _has_ been when you

desired to do the will of God. A knot of designing persons, of whom

Smith is the centre, have imposed upon your credulity and ignorance, and

you have been most thoroughly hoaxed by their artful devices. Mahomet

himself was a gentleman, a Christian, and a scholar, when compared with

your prophet. And oh! how mournful to look round, as I can at present,

and to reflect, how many have been drawn away from their homes, dragged

across earth and sea, and brought to this unwholesome spot, where, with

the loss of substance and of health, they are too often left to perish

in wretched poverty and bitter disappointment." One of the Mormons who

had listened attentively to what I said, now remarked with some

solemnity of manner, "If we are deceived, then are we of all men the

most miserable." "Indeed I believe you are most miserable," I replied,

"and I pity you from the very bottom of my heart. And oh! how gladly

would I see you delivered from this awful delusion, and returning to the

bosom of that holy Catholic Church, from which many of you have

apostatized. There you may find plain and honest teaching, without these

lying signs and wonders. There you may find holy and solemn services

fitted for the edification of the people of God. There you may find a

true baptism, a true communion, true gifts of the Holy Ghost, and true

ministers who descend in one unbroken line from the Apostles sent forth

by Christ Himself." Several of them now said that faith is the gift of

God, that God had promised to give wisdom to those who should ask it;

that they had prayed to God to guide them into all truth, and that He

had led them to believe in the book of Mormon. I replied that God had

appointed certain means of ascertaining the truth, and that if we

neglect those means it will be vain to pray to Him for guidance. Thus He

had declared his Church to be the pillar and ground of truth. But it was

evident that they had not built upon the true ground, for they had

attached themselves not to the apostolic Church, but a sect barely

fifteen years old. The old man in blue now told me that they pitied me

as much as I pitied them. "Come, my friend," he said to me, "let you and

I go down to the Mississippi, only let me put you under the water and

baptize you, and when you come up again, you will see all mysteries

clearly, and will believe in our great signs and wonders." I told him in

reply, that to submit to such a baptism would be almost the greatest

sacrilege which a Christian could commit. "I must now leave you," I

proceeded, "I have been among you three days; I have expressed my

sentiments freely respecting your religion and your prophet, and I

heartily thank you that you have listened to me with attention, and that

although you have had me altogether in your power, you have not put me

under the Mississippi and kept me there."

I walked to the ferry with the Mormon who had brought me over in the

morning, the Mormon doctor, and one or two others. When we arrived at

the boat we found it safe, as it had been carefully padlocked in the

morning. The oars, however, were missing, a circumstance which caused

great vexation to the owner. He exclaimed "My oars are gone; somebody

has hooked my oars." "Who has taken your oars?" I asked. "Some of the

boys, I guess," he replied. "What! some of the young Latter-day Saints?"

I said. "I guess it was," he answered. "But do not the young saints

learn the ten commandments," I demanded, "and especially the eighth,

'Thou shalt not steal?'" "I guess they know them all," the poor man

answered, "but any how they don't practise them." Accordingly he took a

piece of board in his hands, and having given another piece to one of

his companions, he proceeded rather awkwardly to paddle across the wide

and rapid stream. A third piece of board was given to the doctor, who

sat with me in the stern, to be used as a rudder. For some time we

advanced tolerably well; but before long the doctor began to argue with

me vehemently. He said that no man could obtain salvation, who devoted

so little attention to the truth of God as I had done; and that instead

of spending only three days, I ought to have remained at least three

weeks at Nauvoo. I told him that I had seen quite enough to convince any

person of ordinary understanding, that Smith was an impostor. He replied

that Smith might be as bad as he was reported to be, but that his

prophecies would not thereby be proved false. He might be a swindler, a

liar, a drunkard, a swearer, and still be a true prophet. David was a

murderer and an adulterer, and yet was a true prophet. St. Peter said

that even in his time "David had not yet ascended into heaven." David

was in hell, for no murderer had eternal life abiding in him. So Smith

might be as infamous as David was, and even deny his own revelations,

and turn away from his religion, and go to hell; but this would not

affect the revelations which God had given by him. It was in vain that I

attempted to correct the doctor's false positions; the stream of his

eloquence had begun to flow, and, finally, I suffered it to flow

unchecked. He said that the truth of Mormonism did not depend on the

character of Smith or of any other man. That our Lord had told the Jews

that there were other sheep, not of that fold, whom He intended to

bring, and that in accordance with this declaration, after his ascension

into heaven, He descended again in America and preached the Gospel to

the Indians, as the veracious history of the book of Mormon assured us.

That for his own part, his faith had been produced solely by the power

of God, and that if he was deceived, God Almighty had deceived him, and

no other. "I was once an honest Atheist," he proceeded, "I felt that

Christianity could not be true, since Christians have not yet decided

among themselves what Christianity is. I was induced by curiosity to

listen to the preaching of a Mormon elder. My attention was strongly

arrested; I began to believe in God, and for many weeks and months was

earnest in my prayers to Him for a knowledge of the truth. After the

space of six months, I was one night lying awake in my bed meditating,

when suddenly a conviction of the reality of the Christian religion

flashed upon my mind like lightning. I saw the truth of the Scriptures

and of the book of Mormon. I felt powerfully convinced that the

prophecies of Joseph Smith were from God. At the same time I was filled

with a supernatural extasy which resembled heaven itself. I could not

restrain my feelings, but cried out, O my God, if it be thus to be

baptized with the Holy Ghost, what must it be to be baptized with fire!

From that time I have been a member of the 'Latter-day Church,' and,

believe me, I would rather be an honest Atheist again, than embrace the

doctrines of any of the sects. If the religion which I profess be false,

there is no true religion upon earth."

The doctor's zeal had so completely carried him away, that he quite

forgot his duty as helmsman. The boat was now about the middle of the

Mississippi, and after sundry tortuous windings, seemed about to return

to Nauvoo. The poor fellows who were paddling with the boards

complaining of the doctor's steering, I volunteered to take the helm,

and the medical gentleman forthwith resigned his piece of board into my

hands. The skiff now proceeded with a straight course, and we shortly

landed in Iowa. The doctor, on parting from me, complimented me somewhat

equivocally on my seamanship, by observing, that if I knew the way of

salvation as well as I knew how to steer, I might have a good chance of

getting to heaven.

During the remainder of the day, I employed myself in obtaining

testimony from persons residing in Iowa in reference to the conduct and

character of their Mormon neighbours. I have every reason to believe

that this testimony is correct, partly because it agrees with what I

myself saw and heard in Nauvoo, and partly on account of the character

and respectability of the witnesses.

The reader must have already inferred from my description, that the

false prophet himself is a coarse and gross personage, by no means

punctilious in regard to truth. The following facts related by actual

witnesses will not therefore appear incredible.

Before the Mormons settled in the vicinity, no shop for the sale of

spirituous liquors had been established in Montrose. After their arrival

two of their preachers commenced a grog-shop in that place, which was

principally supported by the "Latter-day Saints." In September 1841, the

prophet being in Montrose, became intoxicated at this shop. While in

this condition he told the by-standers "that he could drink them all

drunk," and requested the shop-keeper to treat all his friends at his

expense.

On another occasion, having been discharged from arrest, through

informality in the writ requiring his apprehension for high treason

against the State of Missouri, Smith gave a party at Monmouth, and,

after a regular frolic with his lawyers and friends, became thoroughly

intoxicated. On being asked how it was that he, a prophet of the Lord,

could get drunk, he replied, that it was necessary that he should do so,

in order to prevent his followers from worshipping him as a God.

While intoxicated at Montrose, at another time, he was heard by

several persons saying to himself, "I am a P.R.O.F.I.T. I am a

P.R.O.F.I.T."--spelling (or rather mis-spelling) the word deliberately,

and repeating the letters in solemn succession.

About two years since, at a political convention held in Nauvoo, the

prophet became intoxicated, and was led home by his brother Hyrum. On

the following Sunday, he acknowledged the fact in public. He said that

he had been tempted, and had drunk too much; but that he had yielded to

the temptation for the following reason:--Several of the elders had got

drunk, and had never made confession; but he was desirous of getting

drunk and confessing it, in order to set the elders a good example.

The language of the prophet is gross in the extreme. A Mormon, for

example, having made some remarks derogatory to "the elect lady," Mrs.

Smith, the prophet was dreadfully exasperated. He endeavoured to find

out the name of the offender; but, being unable to do so, he alluded to

the subject in a sermon, preached in the open air, at Montrose, on the

9th of May, 1841. He said, "I hope I may never find out that person; for

if I do, my appetite shall never be satisfied till I have his blood; and

if he ever crosses my threshold I will send him to hell."

I have already stated some circumstances which may appear to reflect on

the common honesty of some of the Mormons. Mr. K. mentioned that he had

lived five years among heathen Indians, and had never been robbed by

them of the most trifling article. During the three years which have

elapsed since the settlement of the Mormons at Montrose and Nauvoo,

_fourteen robberies_, to the amount of two thousand dollars, have been

committed upon his property. 1st, His store was robbed of goods worth

five hundred dollars; 2nd, his warehouse was plundered of one barrel of

pork, two barrels of sugar, and five kegs of lard; 3rd, his smoke-house

was despoiled of thirty-three hams and eleven shoulders; the 4th robbery

deprived him of a barrel and a half of salt; the 5th, of another barrel

of salt; the 6th, of a saddle, bridle, and martingale, which were taken

from his stable; 7thly, four wheels were taken from his waggon; 8thly,

three saddles and bridles and a martingale from his stable; 9thly, sixty

bushels of wheat from his granary; 10thly, six boxes of glass, a hundred

and fifty pounds of bacon, and two boxes of axes, from his warehouse;

11th, six more barrels of salt; 12th, between three and four hundred

bushels of Indian corn; 13th, one wheel was stolen from his chariot

within an enclosure; and, 14th, his store was robbed of forty-two pieces

of dark prints, five or six pieces of satinette, and other articles,

worth about four hundred dollars.

Joseph Smith, alluding to these robberies in a sermon, said that he "did

not care how much was taken from Mr. K. and his brother." He cited the

example of Christ and his apostles, who, he said, when hungry, scrupled

not to steal corn while walking in the fields. He added the following

words,--"The world owes me a good living; if I cannot get it otherwise,

I will steal it, and catch me at it if you can."

He has, however, thought fit to disavow these principles. In the "Times

and Seasons" of Dec. 1, 1841, we have the following official document:

"State of Illinois, } SS.

Hancock County. }

"Before me, John C. Bennett, Mayor of the City of Nauvoo, personally

came Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints (commonly called Mormons), who, being duly sworn

according to law, deposeth and saith, that he has never, directly or

indirectly, encouraged the purloining of property, or taught the

doctrine of stealing, or any other evil practice; and that all such

vile and unlawful acts will ever receive his unqualified and

unreserved disapproval, and the most vigorous opposition of the

Church over which he presides; and further this deponent saith not.

"JOSEPH SMITH,

"President of the Church of Latter-day

Saints."

After this follows an account of two unlucky Mormons, who seem to be

selected as scape-goats. Being officers of the Nauvoo legion, they are

tried by court martial, found guilty of theft, and sentenced to be

cashiered. Joseph Smith solemnly approves of this sentence, and the

proceedings are published in the "Times and Seasons." About the same

time, five Mormons are gazetted as being expelled from the church for

larceny.

The following circumstance was mentioned as a specimen of the manner in

which these singular heretics endeavour to rid themselves of the

imputation of thievishness universally cast upon them. In the winter of

1841, a Mormon was committed to the penitentiary on a charge of

horse-stealing. Upon this, the "Saints" denied that he was a Mormon. Two

Mormon preachers, however, offered themselves as bail for the prisoner,

and having effected his liberation, speedily decamped. When the spring

session of the court of Lee County for 1842 had arrived, it appeared

that the accused had followed their example, for neither he nor his

securities were to be found.

The sufferings experienced by many of the English emigrants at Nauvoo

were described as truly appalling. Nauvoo is one of the most unhealthy

spots on the Mississippi, between New Orleans and the Falls of St.

Anthony. This insalubrity is produced by the low islands adjoining the

city, which are frequently overflowed. Sufficient evidence of the

unhealthiness of the place is furnished in the following extract from a

"revelation given to Joseph Smith, January 19th, 1841," and published in

the "Times and Seasons" for June 1st, 1841:

"Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant, Joseph Smith,--I am

well pleased with your offerings and acknowledgements which you have

made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my

wisdom through the weak things of the earth. * * * * * Let no man go

from this place who has come here _a_ssaying to keep my commandments. If

they live here, let them live unto me, and if they die, let them die

unto me; for they shall rest from all their labour here, and shall

continue their works. Therefore, let my servant William put his trust in

me, and cease to fear concerning his family, because of the sickness of

the land. If ye love me, keep my commandments, and the sickness of the

land shall redound to your glory."

I was informed again and again in Montrose, that nearly half of the

English who emigrated to Nauvoo in 1841 died soon after their arrival.

Far from the graves of their fathers, remote from the ministers of the

true faith, they ended their days in want and wretchedness, and were

buried without that respectful solemnity which in England is not denied

even to the pauper from the workhouse.

In his sermon of the 9th of May, 1841, the following words of _most

Christian consolation_ were delivered by the prophet to the poor deluded

English.

"Many of the English who have lately come here have expressed great

disappointment on their arrival. Such persons have every reason to be

satisfied in this beautiful and fertile country. If they choose to

complain, they may; but I don't want to be troubled with their

complaints. If they are not satisfied here, I have only to say this to

them,--Don't stay whining about me, but go back to England and be d--d."

One of Joseph's missionaries, having returned from a mission to England,

preached a sermon at Nauvoo on Sunday, July 4th, 1840. Having given an

account of his proceedings during his absence, and alluded to the

converts whom he had persuaded to settle near Nauvoo, he proceeded to

speak as follows:--"I have not had an opportunity to visit these English

brethren since my return. I cannot spend my time in visiting them. If

they are as much dissatisfied as they are said to be, I have only this

to say to them,--You had better go back to England; but if you go, go

like men and be d--d, and don't whine about it."

The Secretary for the territory of Iowa was present on this occasion,

and remarked to my informant, that he was astonished at hearing these

expressions from the very man who had brought these poor people a

distance of six thousand miles.

The method in which the Mormons baptize is a perfect burlesque on the

holy initiatory sacrament of the gospel. On one occasion, a hundred and

sixty-five persons were baptized by immersion at Nauvoo, some for the

remission of sins, and some for their deceased friends, which is their

baptism for the dead. This business was done by seven elders, who

enjoyed it as a capital frolic. One of these elders baptized a woman six

times during the same day. Not satisfied with this, she presented

herself a seventh time, when the elder jocosely remarked, "What! haven't

you got wet enough already?" A very tall man offering himself, the

elder, who is very stout, laughed aloud, and said, "I am the only one

big enough to put tall chaps like you under water."

The Christian reader will feel that he has now had enough of these awful

profanations; and I assure him that nothing but a sense of the duty of

exposing imposture could have induced me to commit them to paper. A mere

selection from the sayings, writings, and doings of the leading Mormons,

equal to the preceding in horrid wickedness, would fill volumes. Enough

has been said, however, to prove that Mormonism is associated in the

minds of its most zealous advocates with dispositions and actions the

very reverse of those which are inculcated by the Gospel, and exhibited

in the example of Jesus Christ.

In the evening subsequent to my last visit to Nauvoo, I walked by the

western banks of the noble Mississippi. Beside me flowed its smooth

waters, undisturbed by the slightest ripple. On the eastern bank the

rays of the setting sun were reflected from the windows of Nauvoo, and

his parting beams illuminated the white dwellings of the prophet and his

followers. It was a time adapted to serious reflection. I felt

convinced, that palpable as are the absurdities of Mormonism, it is a

system which possesses many elements of strength, and of extension. When

the present generation of deceivers and of dupes shall have gone to

their graves, a new class of Mormons may have arisen, educated in the

principles of the sect, and taught by experience to disavow some

features in their religion which are at present its shame and its

disgrace. They may consign Joseph Smith to perdition, together with the

sweet Psalmist of Israel; while his doctrines, somewhat refined, may be

a rule of faith and action to admiring millions. It remains (under God)

for Christians of the present day to determine whether Mormonism shall

sink to the level of those fanatical sects which, like new stars, have

blazed for a little while, and then sunk into obscurity; or whether,

like a second Mahometanism, it shall extend itself sword in hand, until,

throughout western America, Christianity shall be levelled with the

dust.

And how shall Christians effectually avert the calamity? I reply, by

encouraging the feeble and infant Christian institutions already

existing in that wonderful land which Mormonism, even now, claims as

its own. As a Churchman, I feel almost ashamed for my Church, when I

reflect upon the heavy discouragements which are suffered to afflict the

amiable and patient missionary bishop of Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Where are the zealous missionaries who should be flocking to his

assistance? Where are the means which should be provided for the support

of a learned clergy in the rising cities of the west? Why is Kemper

College, the first and only institution of the Church beyond the

Mississippi, permitted to languish, while the Mormon temple, and the

Mormon university, offer their delusive attractions to the rising

generation? Why is the venerable bishop of Illinois permitted to labour

almost alone, while the missionaries of Joseph Smith, with a zeal worthy

of the true Church, perambulate his diocese and plant their standard in

every village?

If the Churches of England and America possessed the activity of the

Mormons, questions like the above would soon be needless. Churchmen

would contribute from their poverty as well as from their riches;

churches would be erected, missionaries maintained, and colleges in

which a learned clergy could be educated, would be liberally endowed.

Fanaticism, no longer rampant, would hide itself in the darkest recesses

of the forest; while pure and genuine religion would be the comfort of

the weary emigrant, and the faithful guide of the fifty millions who,

doubtless, before another century, will occupy the valley of the

Mississippi.

How present exigencies shall be met, is a question worthy of the careful

consideration of all, both in England and America, who are solicitous

for the advancement of truth and piety. The appointment of a

self-denying missionary to reside in the immediate vicinity of Nauvoo,

might in some degree check the rising heresy. Such a missionary should

be thoroughly acquainted with the Mormon controversy; patient, willing

to endure contradiction and persecution, and able to accommodate himself

readily to all circumstances, and to all classes of people. Those who

become disgusted with Mormonism might thus be saved from embracing

Atheism; the poor disappointed English might be relieved, encouraged,

and restored to the Church of their fathers; the progress of the

delusion might be closely watched, and the artifices of its leaders duly

exposed.

It is also worthy of remark, that the success of Joseph Smith appears to

warrant a system of emigration and settlement conducted on religious

principles. The notorious Owen, as is well known, attempted the

establishment of an Infidel community at New Harmony, in Indiana, and

totally failed. Joseph Smith has availed himself of the religious

principle natural to man, and has triumphantly succeeded. If a false

faith has thus prevailed, true religion might accomplish wonders.

Whatever may be said, and much may be said with truth, respecting the

superior claims of the British colonies, it is certain that a vast

proportion of those who emigrate from Great Britain and Ireland, proceed

to the United States. Numbers of these have been educated in the

principles of the Established Church; and yet, from various causes, few

of them comparatively attach themselves to the Church in America. Many

connect themselves with various dissenting denominations; while still

more, it is to be feared, sink into heartless apathy and irreligion. But

we will suppose that a large body of members of the Church determine

upon emigrating, on a system which shall secure mutual co-operation and

religious fellowship. Before leaving home, the outlines of their plan

are fixed: they are accompanied by a sufficient number of well-educated

pastors and teachers: they purchase a district of four or five thousand

acres in a healthy portion of Iowa, for example: they obtain from the

legislature charters for a city, a college, and a church, respectively:

they erect their own dwellings upon a handsome and tasteful design: they

elect a mayor and a corporation for their rising city. A substantial

Church is built, which may afterwards form one wing of a noble Gothic

Cathedral. Schools and teachers are provided for the children,

professors are appointed for the college, libraries are commenced, and

halls are erected. Allotments of land are set aside for the perpetual

maintenance of religion and Christian education. The clergy, if

sufficiently numerous, elect, with the approbation of the laity, some

learned and active man as their bishop, who is afterwards duly

consecrated by the authorities of the American Church. The Church now

appears in its fulness and dignity; and missionaries go forth from the

city, in sincerity and truth, to traverse the land and to convert its

inhabitants.

This is not a chimerical idea, it is a sketch of what might be realized

with little difficulty. Discouragements would occasionally arise; but

ultimately, with proper management, such a plan would undoubtedly

succeed. A new point of attraction would thus be presented to European

and American emigrants, and the power of the false prophet would be

shaken to its foundation.