Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-05-23

ifom tn@ writer by the hev. Mr.. Sto~s OF Hollis.
ton, who remarks that he has " had occasion 10
come in contact with Mormonism in its gfosses,
forms" Il was communicated ny him for pabIica-
ton 10 the Recorder.
ORIGIN OF THE Book OF MORMON"
OR Golden BIBLE."-As this book has
excited much attention, aud has been but,
by a certain new sect, IN The place of the
sacred Scriptures, | deem il a duty which
| owe TO the Public to state what | know
touching its origin. That its claims TO a
divine origin are wholly ~unlounded, needs
no proof to a mind unperverted by the
grossest decisions. That any sane per-
son should rank it higher than any other
merely human composition, is a matter of
the greatest astonishment; yet il is re-
ceived az divine by some who dwell in
enlightened New England. and even by
those who have sustained the character Of
devoted Christians. Learning recently
that Mormonism has found its way into a
church in Massachusetts, and has imprep.
mated some of its members with its gross
d~eiuslons, 30 that accommodation has
become necessary, | am determined to
delay no longer doing what | can to strip
the mask from this monster Of sin, and
to lay open this pit of denominations.
Rev. Solomon Spaulding, to whom I
was united in marriage in early life, was
a graduate of Dartmouth College, and
was distinguished for a lively imagination
aud a great fondness for history. At
the time Of our marriage, he resided in
Cherry Valley, New York. From this
place we removed to New Salem, Ash.
tabula county, Ohio somestimes called
Conneaut, as it is situated on the Come.
aut creek. Shortly after our removal to
this place, his health sunk, and he was
laid aside from active labors. la the
town of New Salem, there are numerous
mounds and forts, supposed by many to
be the dilapldated dwellings and for,ifca.
tons ofa race now extinct. These an.
cient relics arrest the attention of the new
settlers and become objects Of research
for the curious. Numerous implements
were found and other articles. eyincing
great skill in the arts. Mr.. Spaulding
being an educated man, and ~passionately
fond Of history, took a lively interest in
these developments Of antiquity /; and in
order to beguile the hours Of retirement,
and furnish employment for his lively i'm.
agination, he conceived the idea ofgiving
an historical sketch Of this Tong 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 imita-
ted its style as nearly as possible. His
sole object in writing this historical ro-
nance was to amuse himself and his
%neighbors. This was about the wear
1912. Hubs surrender at Detroit oc.
Cured near the same time, and | recol.
lect the date well from that circumstance
AS he progressed in his narrative, the
neighbors would come in from time to
time to hear portions read, and q great
interest 10 the work was excited anon
them. II claimed to have been written
by one of the lost nation, and to have
been recovered from the earth, and assn.
med the title Of" Manuscript Found"
The neighbors would often inquire how
Mr.. s. progressed in deciphering "the
manuscript" and when he had a suhi.
cient portion prepared he would inform
them, and they would assemble to hear
1t read. He was enabled, from his ac.
qualntance with the classics and ancient
history, to introduce many singular names,
which were particularly noticed by the
people, and could be easily recognized
by them. Mr.. Solomon Spaulding had
had a brother, Mr.. John Spaulding, resi-
ding in the place at the time, who was
perfectly familiar with this work, and re-
peatedly heard the whole Of it read.
From New Salem we removed to
Pittsburgh, Pa. Here Mr.. S. found an
acquaintance and friend in the person of
Mr.. Patterson, an editor of a newspaper.
He exhibited his manuscript to Mr.. p.
who was very much pleased with it, and
borrowed il for p~erusal. He retained il n
long time, and informed Mr.. S. that If he
would make out a title page and preface,
he would publish it, and it might be a
source of profit. This Mr.. S. refused TO
do, for reasons which | cannot now state,
Sidney Rigdon.~ who has figured so
largely in the history of tho Mormons.
was at this time connected with the print.
ing Office of Mr.. Patterson, as is we'll
known in that region, and as Rigdon
himself has frequently stated. Here he
bad ample opportunity TO become acquain.
ted with Mr.. Spauldlng's manuscript, and
to copy it ifhe chose. Ii was a matter
of notorlety and interest to all who were
connected with the printing establish.
ment. AT length the manuscript was re.
turned to its author, and o after we
removed to Amity, Washington county,
Pa, where Mr.. S. deceased in 1916.
The manuscript then fell into my hands
and was carefully preserved. 1t has fire.
quently beer examined by my daughter,
Mrs. McKenstry, of Monson, Mass. with
x,hnao L un.. xnn.la- - -