Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-05-01
HERALD OF THE TIMES.

manuscript" and when he had suihc-
lent portion prepared he would inform
them, and they would assemble to hear
il read. He was enabled from his ac-
quaintance with the classics and ancient
history, to introduce many singular
names, which were particularly noticed
by the people and could be easily recog-
nized by them. Mr.. Solomon Spauld-
ing had a brother, Mr. John Spaulding
residing in the place at the time, who
was perfectly familiar with this work and
rcpe aledly heard the whole Of it read.
From New Salem we removed to
Pittsburgh, Pa. Here MIR. S. found an
acquaintance and friend, in the person
Of Mr.. Patterson, an editor Of news
paper. He exhibited his manuscript to
MIR. p who was very much pleased with
it, and borrowed it for pcrusal. lIo re-
tanned il u long time and informed Mr.
s. that if he would make out title page
and preface, he would publish it and it
might be source of profit. This MIR.
S. refused 10 do for reasons which can
not now state. Sidney Rigdon," who
has figured so largely in the history OF
the Mormons, was at this time come ted
with the printing office Of Mr.. Patterson,
as is we'll known in that region, and as
Rig don himself has frequently stated
Here he had ample opportunity to be-
come acquainted with Mr. Spaulding' 8
manuscript and to copy it if he chose.-
1t was a matter Of notorety and interest
to all who were connected with the print
ing establishment. AT length the man.
uscript was returned to its author, and
soon after wo removed to Amity, wash
ington county, Pa, where Mr.. S. de-
ceased in 1916. The manuscript then
iel into my hands and was carefully pre-
served. 1t has frequently been examin-
cd by my daughter, Mrs. McKenstiy,
Of Monson, Mass. with whom ] now re-
side, and by other friends. After the
Book of Mormon" came out, 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 written. a woman preach
er appointed a meeting there, and in the
meeting read and repeated copious ex-
tracts from the Book Of Mormon. ~
The historical part was Immediately re-
cognized by all tho older inhabitants, as
the identical work Of Mr.. S. in which
they had been SO deeply interested years
before. MIR. John Spaulding was pres
cnt, who is an emincnily pious man, and
recognized perfectly the work of his
brother. He was amazed and afflicted,
that it should have been perverted to SO
wicked a purpose. His grief found vent
in flood Of tears, and he arose on the
spot and expressed in the meeting his
deep sorrow and regret, that the writings
of his sainted brother should be used for
a purpose SO vile and shocking. The
excitement in New Salem became so
great, that the inhabitants had meet
ing and depuied DR.. PhiIastus Hurlbut,
one of their number to repair to this place
and to obtain from me the original man
uscript Of Mr. Spaulding, for the pu, pose
Of comparing it with the Mormon Bible
TO satisfy their own minds and to prevent
their friends from embracing an error so
delusive. This was in the year 1884
DR.. Hurlbut brought with him an intro
duction and request for the manuscript,
signed by Messrs. Henry Lake, Aaron
Wright and others, with all whom | was
acquainted, as they were my 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
the idea Of converting it to
purposes Of dclusion. Thus an histori-
cal romance, with the addition Of few
pious expressions and extracts from the
sacred Scriptures, has been construed
into new Bible and palmcd off upon a
company Of poor deluded fanatics, as di-
vine. have given the previous brief
narration, that this work Of deep decep.
ton and wickedness may be searched
10 the foundation, and its author exposed
to the contempt and execration he so
justly deserves.
MATILDA DAWSON.
Rev. Solomon Spaulding was the first
husband Of the narrator Of the above his
tory. Since his deceasc, she has been
married to second husband by the name
Of Dawson. She is now residing in this
place is woman Of irrepronchable
character and an humble Christian, and
her testimony is worthy Of implicit con-
fdence.
A. Ely, d. d. Pastor Cong. Church
in Monson.
ID. II. Austin, Principal Of Monson
Academy.
MIonson, Mass. April lst, 1889.
"One of the leaders and founders of the
sect.
"IIE hINr AN -Tcnchcr-John,
Ill - IL. q