The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-12-21
NOR MONISM.
From Correspondent Of the Salem Gazette,
no,o travelling in The fest.
MARIETTA, fOhiol Nov. rs 1921

MARIETTA, (Ohio) Nov is, 1881.
| You are sensible how celebrated has be-
come western New York and the adjacent
counties of Ohio, for their sects-their par
tes-their fantlcism, religious, political, and
anti masonic. Their conceits are wild to
the very farthest bounds of Imagination.
wild IN invention, and singularly success
full in carrying into effect their solemn fool
eries. You have heard of the Mornonites ::
newspapers have given detailed accounts of
these fanatics, but perhaps their origin is
not SO well known. Mormonism is the fruit
OF religious excitement in this quarter com
hlned with roguery, ingenuity, and igno-
rance frequently operating successfully on
those who ought 10 know better.
The inventors of this species of fanati-
clsm are very simple personages, and were
unknown till thus brought into notice. They
are old and young Joe Smith, one Harris a
farmer, all of New York, and one Rigdon. n
sort OF preacher, from Ohio, with several
other infatuated, cunning hypocrites. Old
Joe smith was once pedlar, and possessed
all that cunning, shrewdness, and small in
trlgue, characteristic of that description of
persons. He had smooth tongue, was a
ready story-teller, full of anecdotes he had
picked up IN his peregrinations, and had
been more fortunate in picking up materials
Tor his tongue than for supplying his purse
lie at one lime set up the manufacture of
gingerbread, but on the fall of that article.
failed IN business. Young Joe was an idle,
strollng, worthless fellow, although he af-
forwards hourished so largely in the Nor
mon religion. He was, however, the son of
Yankee pedler and brought up to live by
his wits. Harris, whom have mentioned,
was considered MS a substantial farmer near
Palmyra, of a wild Imagination, full of pas
sages OF scripture, had heard and seen much
OF the extravaganza of the day produced by
modern revival meetings, ard believed fully
in the wonders and miracles wrought on
those occasions.
The Smiths had conceived the idea of
getting rich hy some short cut; the usual
expedlent of digging for hidden treasures
was hit upon. Having heard many wonder
ful stories of men getting rich by digging.
and Stumbling upon chests of money on the
shores of New England, the fellow sue
ceeded by his oratorical powers, in exciting
the imagination of Il few auditors, and made
them so anxious 10 possess themselves Of
these hidden treasures, that at it they went
with shovel and spade, eXcavating the
ground lnmany places between Canandaigua
Lake and Palmyra. These excavations are
still to he seen in many places. They con
tlnued their lahors until, at length, one of
the party, tired of a laborous and unsuc-
cessiul search, spoke of person in Ohio,
near Painsvile on Lake Erie, who had a
wonderful faculty in finding the spots where
money was hid, and how he could dream of
tH,h L. &. 4
Can we get that man here ?" asked the
infatuated Smiths. Why" replied the
other. IL guess as how we might by going
after him; and if l had little change to
bear my expenses, would go myself"
Away they went, some to his farm and some
to his merchandise, to gain money to pay
the expense Of bringing the money-dreamer
from Ohio. The desired object was atlength
accomplished, and Rigdon the famous Ohio
man, made his appearance. He had been
preacher of various religions, and teach
err of almost all kinds of morals. lie was
experienced in al sorts of camp-meetiDrs.
prayermeetngs, anxious meetings, and re-
vival, or fourdays meetings. He knew
every turn Of the human mind relative to
these matters. lie had considerable tnlent
and great pausibility. He partly united
with the money-diggers in making an eXca-
walton in what has since been called the
" Golden Bible Hill"
About this time, western New York be-
came the seat Of very considerable rclg-
ious excitement. This was fondly Ienom-
mated revival Of religion, but it was also,
u revival of the baser passions Of the heart,
religious pride and religious controversy
predominated. All were denounced as in
fidels who refused to join in the general en-
thusiasm and become dupes TO party zeaots.
Attempts were made to set up and organize
"A kind Of religious hierarchy, which should
regulate all the pursuits of social life; to
control the affairs both of church and state
to regulate and control the public mind and
particularly to stop the Sunday mails, and
at the same time neglecting the appointed
ordinance Of the Sabbath, for the newly in
vented extra week day meetings. Attempts
were made to give n sectarian character tc
the excellent cause of temperance indeed
every occupation in life, every thought anl
every feeling must portake of sectarianism
at the hazard of denunciation almost IS
t"rrihlc as that OF Spanish lnc'iisiiion. The
, religion prevalent here, was that Of POM
and show-of glorious controversy--the ar
tiicial religion of human notwithstanding
missionnres-of sending tracts, many o
when were otdouolful authority, TO enliG lit
en- the ignorant. Every thing relating t
religion was wearing new face. Thes'
we're times nnh these are n people admlra