Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-05-28


who was very much pleased with Il, and
borrowed It for perusal. he retained Il d
long time, and informed Mr. s. that il he
would make out title page and. preface,
be would publish it and Il might be i
source of profit. This Mr.. s. refused
10 do, for reasons which / cannot now
state. Sidney Rigdon, who has figured
50 largely in the history Of the Mormons,
was at this time connected with the print.
ing Office ofMr. Patterson, as Is well known
in hatregion, and as Rigdon himself has
frequently stated. Here he had ample
opportunity to become acquainted with
Mr.. Spuulding's manuscript, and 10 copy
lt if he chose. It was matter Of nolo.
riety and interest to all who were connect.
ed with the printing establishment. At
length the manuscript was returned 10 its
author, and soon after we removed to Ami.
~, Washington county, Pa. where Mr.. s.
died, in 1916. The manuscript then fell
into my hands, and was carefully preserY.
ed. Il has frequently been examined by
my daughter, Mrs. McKenstry, Of Mon
son, Mass. with whom now reside, and
by other friends. After the Book Of
Mormon came out, copy Of il was ia
ken to New Salem, the place Of Mr..
Spaulding former residence, and the very
place where the j" Manuscript Found
was written. A woman preacher ap.
pointed q meeting there, and in the meet
ing read and repeated copious extracts
from the Book Of Mormon" The his
torical part was Immediately recognized
by all the older inhabitants, as the identical
work of Mr.. S., in which they had been
so deeply interested years before. Mr..
John Spaulding was present, who is an
eminently pious man, and recognized per.
tectly the work of his brother. He was
amazed and afflicted, that il should have
been perverted TO so wicked purpose,
His grief found vent in food Of tears
aud he arose on the spot and expressed in
the meeting his deep sorsow aud regret
that the writings Of his sainied brother
should be used for apprpose so vile and
shocking. The excitement in New Sa.
lem became SO great, that the inhabitants
had meeting, and deputed DIR. Philastus
Hurlburt, one of their number, 10 repair to
this place, and TO obtain from me the or.
iglaal manuscript of Me-. Spaulding, fol
the purpose Of comparing with it the Nor.
mon Bible, to satisfy their own minds and
TO prevent their friends from embracing an
error so delusive. This was in the year
1884. DIR, Hurlburt brought with him
an introduction and request for the manu-.
script, signed by Messrs. Henry Lake
Aaron Wright, and others, with all O
whom was acquainted, as they were ms
neighbors when resided in New Salem
am sure that nothing could grieve my
husband more, were he living, than the
use which has been made of his work.
The air Of antiquity which was thrown
about the composition, doubtless sugges
ted the idea of converting it 10 purpose.
of delusion. Thus an historical romance
with the addition Of few pious expires
sions and extracts from the sacred scrip
lures, has been construed into new bible
and palned off upon a company Of pod
deluded fanatics, as divine. haze giver
the previous brief narration, that This
work Of deep deception and wickedness
may be searched to the foundation, and
Its author exposed to the contempt ahc
execration he SO justly deserves.