The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-08
SINGULAR ORIGIN OF MoRMONIsM

The Book Of Mormon, or Golden Bible"
II would seem, Is the production Of the Rev.
Solomon Spaulding, formerly pastor ola Pres
byterian church on the western Reserve in
Ohio. While suffering under disease, TO
anluse himself and his friends, he wrote an
Imaginary history Of the mysterious race Of
men who built the ancient mounds and other
works OF art, which are scattered so profusely
over the valley Of the Mississippi. His ma
nuscript falling into the hands Of wicked and
designing men, has been perverted into the
means Of building up the new sect Of fanatics
ne hev. John Storrs, Of Holliston, Mass,
learning that the widowof Mr.. Spaulding was
living ut Monson, Mass, addressed her a
letter, and obtained the following narrative,
which we copy from the Boston Recorder:
Rev. Solomon Spaulding was graduate Of
Dartmouth College, and was distinguished for
a lively Imagination and great fondness for
history. At the time Of o,r marriage, he re-
sided in Cherry Valley, N. Y. From this
place we removed to New Salem, Ashtabula
county, Ohio, on Conneaut Creek. Shortly
after, his health sunk, and he was laid aside
from active labors. In New Salem, there are
numerous mounds and forts. These ancient
relics arrest the attention Of the new settlers.
Numerous implements were found, evincing
great skill in the arts. Mr.. Spaulding took
lively interest IN these developments Of anti
guilty; and in order to beguile the hours OF re-
tirement and furnish enjoyment for his lively
imagination, he conceived the idea OF giving
an historical sketch Of that long lost race
Their extreme antiquity Of course would lead
him to write in the most ancient style, and as
the Old Testament is the most ancient book
in the world, he initiated its style as nearly as
possible. This was about the year 1912. It
claimed to have been written by one Of The
lost nation and 10 have been recovered from
the earth, and assumed the title of Manu-
script Found" The neighbors would often
inquire how Mr.. S. progressed in decipherlng
the manuscript" aud when he had suff-
cicnt portion prepared they would assemble to
hear il read. He was enabled from his ac-
quantance With the classics and ancient his
tory, to introduce many singular names, which
were particularly noticed by the people and
could be easily recognized by them. Mr.. ).
had brother residing in the place, who was
perfectly familiar with this work.
From New Salem, we removed to Pitts
burg, Pa. Here Mr.. S. found an acquain-
lance in Mr.. Patterson, an editor Of a news
paper. He exhibited his manuscript to MIR.
p. who retained it long time and informed
Mr. S. that if he would make out a title page
and preface. he would publish it and il might
be a source Of profit. This Mr.. s. refused to
do for reasons which cannot now state. Sid
ney Rigon, who has figured so largely in the
history of the Nj ormons, was at this time con-
nected with the printing Office. Here he had
ample opportunity to become acquainted with
Mr.. Spaulding's manuscript, and to copy It II
he choose. At length the manuscript, was re.
turned to its author, and soon alter we re-
moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania,
where Mr. s. died in 1916. The manuscript
then fell into my hands and was carefully pre-
served. After the Book Of Mormon" came
out, a copy of il was taken to New Salem,
the place Of Mr.. Spaulding's former
residence, and the very place where the
" Manuscript Found was writer. A woman
preacher appointed meeting iheres and IN
the meeting read and repca ed coTous ex-
tracts from the Book of Mormon" The
historical part was Immediately recognized by
all the older inhabitants, as the Identical work
ofMr. S. Mr.. John Spaulding was present,
and recognised perfectly the work OF his bro
ther. He arose on the spot and expressed his
deep regret, that the writings Of his brother
should be used for purpose so vile. The ex-
element in New Salem became SO great thai,
the inhabitants had meeting, and aeputed
DR.. Phllastus Hurlburt, TO repair TO this place
and to obtain from me the original manu-
script, for the purpose Of comparing it with the
Mormon Bible, to satisfy their own minds and
to prevent their friends from embracing an err
ror so delusve. This was in the year 1884.
DR.. Hurburt brought with him an init oduc-
tion and request for the manuscript, signed ny
Henry Lake, Aaron Wright and others, with
all whom was acquainted.
The Rev. DR.. Ely, pastor ofthe Congrega-
tionnl church at Monson, and ID. X. Austin,
principal Of Monson Academy, have given
their certificates that Mrs. ID. is F." a woman OF
irreproachable character, and that her testmo-
ny is worthy ofimpIicit confidence"