The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-06-06

Ill
.deciphering "the manuscript" and when.
he had sufficient portion prepared ahe
would inform them, and they would assem-
bic to hear it read. He was enabled,
from his acquaintance 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 Spauld-
ing had brother, Mr. John spaulding, re-
siding in the place at the time, who was
perfectly familiar with this work, and re-
pcatedly heard the whole Of it read.
From New Salem we removed to Pitts
burgh Pa. Here Mrs. found an acquain-
tance and friend in the person Of MIR. Pat
terson, an editor ola newspaper. Heck
hibited his manuscript to Mr. P. who was
very much pleased with it. and borrowed
it for perusal. He retained it a long time
apd informed Mr. s. that if he would
make out a title-page and preface, he would
! publish it, and it might be aHsource Of
| profit. This Mr. S. refused to do, for
reasons which cannot now state. Sid
ney Rigdon,* who has figured so largely
1 in the history Of the Mormons, was ut
/ this time connected with the printing office
J, of MIR. Patterson, as is we'll known in
that region, and as Rigdon himself has
i frequently stated. Here he had ample
! opportunity to become acquainted with
:, Mr. Spaulding's manuscript, and to copy
! it if he chose. 1t was matter Of noto-
rsety and interest to all who were connec-
4 ted with the printing establishment. At
lilength the manuscript was returned to its
J, author. and soon after we removed TO
d Amity, Washington county, Pa, where.
! Mr. S. deceased in 1916. Tne manuscript
) then fell into my hands and was careful
] ly preserved. 1t has frequently been ex-
. amined by my daughter, Mrs. Nc kenstry,
t of Monson, Mass, with whom | now re-
t side, and by other friends. After the
:. ssBook of Mormon" came out, copy of
t it was taken to New Salem, the place of
e Mr. Spaulding's former residence, and the
e verv place where the ''Manuscript
Found was written. A wonlan-preach
CT appointed meeting there, and.
in.lhe meeting, read and repeated coplous
cxtrscts f.om the Book Of Mormon. ?
i The historical part was Immediately re-
!, cosnized by all the older inhabitants as
' the Identical work Of Mr.. S. in which they
i had been SO deeply Interested years be-
Q fore. Mr.. John Spauding was present,
v who is IN cminently pious man, and re-
IS cognisea perfectly the work of his brother.
4 II, was amazed and afflicted that It
' should have been perverted to- so wicked
S purpose. His grief found vent IN
q food of tears, and he arose on the spot,
t. and expressed in the meeting his deep sor'
|. row and regret the writings of his salnled
). brother should be used for purpose SC
IS vile and shocking. The excitement IN
If New Salem became so great that the IN
,e hibitants had meeting, and deputcd 1fr
# Philastus Hurlburt, one of their number
> to repair to this place and to Obtain
a. from me the original manuscript OF MI
d. Spaulding, for the purpose OF comparing
it with the Mormon Bible, to sahfy thel
., own minds, and to prevent their friends
ed from embracing an error SO deluslve
= This was in the year 1884. DR. Hurlbur
!, brought with him an Introduction and re
7 quest for the manuscript, signed by Mes
Nv srs. Henry Lake, Aaron Wright AM
. others, with all whom was acquainted
as as they were my ncighbors when resid
he ed in New Salem.
y. am sure that nothing could grieve m,
er husband more, were he living, than tn
or use which has been made of his work
e. The air of antiquity which was throw
in about the composition doubles suggeste
bv the idea of converting it to purposes Q
ofl delusion. Thus an historical romance
* with the addition of a few ploas expires
y sions and extracts from the sacre
o.. scriptures, has been construed into new
IS Bible, and palmed off upon a company 0
~ poor deluded fanatics as divine. hay
TO given the previous brief narration, tina
To this work Of deep deception and wicked
q, ness may be searched to the foundation
- and it's author exposed to the contemF
aud execration he so Justly deserves.
ITO l MATILDA DAWSON.
IN. Rev. Solomon sspauding was the frs
husband Of the narrator OF the above histt
me ny Sincehis deceasc, she has been MAJ
nv RED to a second husband, by the nam
we of Davidson. She is now residingln tn
IN place, lis woman Of irreproachab
: + character; and an humble Christian, an
ri her testimony is worthy Of implicit, col
his fdence. a. ELY, u. D.,
om Pastor Cong. chulchin Monson,
sa. D. R. AUSTIN,
rts +. Principal Of Moason Academy.
el. MoNsoN, MASS April !, 1899.
eX- H3.r
at oHe "a 'ue 'eaoeis a"u ~ = '''' 'Ss
me
Iu-1 New YORK, May 9th, 1889.
her The Legislature Of the State adjournt
.ts IN fhe, nth a ffer. nassinr during its sc