The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1837-11-03

THE MoRMONS.

We have heretofore briefly noticed the
existence ana progress Of this deluded
sect. which, Of late years. has sprung up
in our country. We could not believe
that a society. founded npOn such absurd
principles as this, could ever make much
head in this enlightened age. But It
seems that the experience Of our oSn
times is destined TO he added TO tie lesli-
mony of all preceding ages, that there
can be no system in religion. however
wild and fan; tical, but may find abettors
and supporters.
We Insert the following remarks. on
this subject, from the last Churchman:
The scheme Of the literal Interpretation
of prophecy has reesi.ed OF late vast
accession of numbers. in the sect OF the
Mormons. From a few lawless adven-
turers under =" Joe smith," as the are
represented to have been. these fanatics
have become a numerous and organized
sect thew are to he found. as their books
affirm. in every state in the Union.
from Maine 10 Missouri: they have their
preachers and authors; they have set forth
their standards. and formally written in
defence Of their peculiar teneis. They
are. We believe, most numerous in Ohio
and other Of the western states. Their
number is yariously estimated from fifty
10 a hundred thousand. Ii is said we
know not with what eorrecmess) that
there are from one 10 two thousand in
this city.
Ii is not little singular, that two new
sects should have m ,de their appearance
independently and almost coniemporaIe-
ously, IN different quarter Of the world,
and in totally opposite circumstances, and
vet be found substantially TO agree in their
leading tenets. such. however, seems TO
be H. fact in regard to the faliaW ers Of
Edward irving and the Momonites. The
former have sn'ung up in the bosom Of
civilization AMI learning, aud the latter
have been generated from the lowest de-
gree of society, and Vet both have en-
braced substantially the me views of
doctrine. The peculiarities which titev
possess in common, and which dlstiu-
guish them from tine generality of the
Christian world. are their belief in the H.
teral Interpretation of the prophecy. lin
clnding the renoy alton Of the earth. the
restoration of the saints TO its surface,
the personal reign of the Messiah, &C.
and their belief in the renew al, in these
latter times, of the gifts of miracles,
tongues, and prophecy.
The Mormonites, or, as they call them-
selves, the Latter Day Saints, have for
Their article in their creed closely connect
ed with the foundation of their preten'led
authority. They believe the aborigines
of this country to have been the remnants
of the ten tribes, and it is through these
that they have derived the book of Nor.
mon--in the inspiration Of which they
believe, and under The sanction OF which
they act. From an account of their faith
by one of their ministers, we make the
following extract: g.
"The Book Of Mormon was found in
the wear of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and twenty-seven, in Ontario
county, New-Y York. Was translated and
published in The year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty. Ii
contains the history Of the ancient inha-
tants of America, who were branch Of
the house OF Israel, of the tribe of Joseph;
of whom the Indians are still remnant;
but the principal nation Of them having
fallen in battle, in the fourth or fifth GEN.
tury, one Of their prophets, whose name
was Mormon, saw fit to make an abridg-
ment of their history, their prophecies,
and their doctrine, which he engrss ed on
plates; md afterwards being slain, the re-
cord fell into the hands OF his son MIRO
nj, Who being hunted by his enemies, was
directed TO deposite the record safely in
the earth, with promi.e from tod that
il should be preserves; and .sho Id he
again brought to ugh, in the Litter DAYS,
By means Of Gentle nation " no should
possess the land. This deposIte was