Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-01-26

We mentioned nearly ayear since, the appearance of person in the upper part of New-i ork state, who was preaching new religion, founded upon new bible, given to him by an angel. The revela- ton then was engraven'o metal plates. We thot that the matter would rest with the simple souls with whom it began, but we find that the new doc Urine is gaining many believers; societies have been formed, and leaders established. We have not heard that any candidate for president has been nominated We find the following account in the Painsville, (Ohio) Gazette:
 "About a couple of weeks since, three men, calling themselves Oliver Cowdry, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris appeared in our village, laden with a new re evalaton which they claim to be codic to the New Testiment. They preached in the evening in the Methodist Chapel, and from certain indica- tions, conceiving they might do more good else where, departed for Kirkland, where is 'common stock family" under the charge of Elder Rgdon, a Campbelte leader of some notOriety. The men claim to act under commission written by the fin ger of God ;"-they are very enthusiastic toleraby resolute but from what we can learn, need that steadfast determined resolution and popular talent, which are necessary to ensure any considerable de- gree ofsuccess in a new project.
 The account which they give Is substantially as follows At recentperod, an angel appeared to a poor, ignorant man, residing in or near Palmyra, in Ontario county in the state of NewYork, direct ed him to open the earth at a place designated where he would find the new revelation engraved on plates of metal. In obedience to the celestial messenger, Smith repaired to the spot, and open ing the ground. discovered an oblong stone box tightly closed with cement. He opened the sacred depository and found enclosed bundle of plates re- sembling gold, carefully united at one edge with silver wire, so that they opened like book. The plates were about seven inches long and six broad : and the whole pile was about inches deep, each plate about the thickness of tin. They were engraved in character unntelligibe to the learned men ofthe United States, to many of whom, it is said they have been presented. The angel after wards appeared to the three individuals and showed them the plates. To Smith was given to translate the characters, which he enabled to do by look ing through two semi-transparent stones but as he was ignorant of the art of writing, Cowdry and the others wrote as Smith interpreted. They say that part of the plates escaped from them in superna- tu al manner, and to be again revealed, when the events of time shall require them.
 The three individuals above named, subscribed their names to article in the book, in which they soemnly declare that they saw the angel and that he assured them that the book was divine reyela- ton. They say it was written by the prophets of God during the period embracing the time for six hundred years before, and several hundred years after the Christian era. It predicts, we understand almost all events which have come to pass, such as the American Revolution, &c.
 These men are believed by their followers to be prophets and they say the world is soon to come to tuus-Witihn 10 fcdis di lOugtSt.
 By the world coming to an end, they only mean. that the incorrigibe will be cut off by variety of means, leaving only the true believers. They have now gone west of the Mississippi, where, they say, is Holy Spot and there they to establish New Jerusalem, in which will be gathered all the natives who they say, are descendants of fManasseh They are led by the spirit and will know the ground when they place their feet on it.
 Immediately after their arrival here, Elder Rig don embraced inc new doctrine, and was baptised for the third time, regular Baptist, once as Campbelite. and now disciple ofthe new re- velation. He says he has hitherto preached here sy. His flock. we understand, have principally followed their shepherd, and for the second, and some for the third time, have gone down into the water. We are told that the number baptised into the new order, is rising of one hundred
 When we read ofsuch deusons or follie. in times past, we mourn the ignorance and credulity of days when the march ofscience was slow and brief: but these the productions of our own times, inc vagaries of the 18th century. Let us, when we re- gard them and others that characerze the age learn
 little humility foi ourselves. and exercise charity for our predecessors. .'- United States Gazette
 The VIndicator Montreal paper, thus speaks of the Message ofPresldent Jackson: "The document say what its enemies may, is of great abilityZ There is no triling about 1t; no endeavor to mysti fv thino all is onen Dlain candid ,,attar orl.