New-York tribune., 1841-09-29
PRICE ONE CENT.
The TEormons-A visit TO Nnuvoo-.foe
hmith's Preachiug-A Personai Con-
fnb-A necdoten. &c.
Correspondence Of the Tribune.

Mr. Editor Il believe in my last comrnnnica-
ton promised to give you at some subsequent
perod'an additional chapter upon the Mormons,
and more mnuti;e relating to that renowned per-
,onape Joe Smitl'-Well; it SO happened that
on NV return last week from short excursion in
our neghboring Statc;of Illinois, Tor if l may be
permitted to our homely Phrascology, The
Sucker State) / found myself early on Sunday
morning entering the suburbs of the renowned
city of Nauvoo,-a city which if the prophecies
Of Joe Smith prove nfallible--is destined to
place the gores Of Rome far in the shade for
what signifies the grandeur, the ponp and spendor
of the Eternal City'-when it has been revealed
to this Prophet of the Lord $50 say the Latter
Day Saints that within this City OF the Plain
all nations, kindrcds asd tongues shall be gathered
In short, friend C., if you had supposed that
Brother Joseph not of the Lions Of
the age to say the least you are far behind the
times. Having ordered my horse put up at
commodious looking hotel, | soon ascertaned that
Mormon landlady understood the mysteries Of
making good cup of coiee-with all necessary
/
OF mine Hostess, with rapidi,y truly appalling.
Gust think, though | had travelled over twenty
mile prairie that morning on an empty stomach)
but as was saving, while doing ample Justice 10
Hat good breakias-I asked one OF the brethren
if should have the qualification OF hearing Joe
Smith rreach that day. With rather sharp
proof for my lcvity in thus aliudng to Brother lo
scph | was answered in tho affirmative. The
grand Temple is not yet completce-consequen
the service is held in beautiful grove. upon a
prairie OF gentle ascent overlooking the majestic
Mississippi. This Grove is the centre of the
future city-which, yet is merely q skeleton Of
struggling subutbs-incrcasng however, with
rapidly truly astonishing The location OF this
city embraces Il combination OF objects OF the most
picturesque and captivating description in the
centre OF the grove Il temporary stand Is erected
beneath the deep foliage of beautiful urbor-
aroun, this, benches ANA chairs are arranged in
the form of an amphiihea,Ye the waving branches
of the trees protecting the audience from ths
scorching rays of the sun. When entered the
grove 10 had commenced his discourse. Ii was
first impression There he appeared, in the stand
a la pulpit, the observed OF all observers,
preaching to an audience of from II TO 1900 stcR-
ers whether it was the novelty of the scene, or
the singularity of the sect, certain 1t that all
things conspired to impress my mind very sisgu-
larly. Imagination involuntarily reverted to
the first time had ever heard of the Book OF
Mormon synonymous also with the name OF ia
Smith, and behold here he standing before
me then | endenvorcd to detect the secret spring
of this dclusion. Where is the magic of the
Prophets power thought Twas not in the
persuasion of his eoqrence for he possessed
more Twas not his intellect, for thar ia not
above mediocriy. lis no, in erudtion for 10 that
he makes no pretensons; and yet he wicldS 81
pcwer more potent, | believe than the Pope of
Rome, over those upon whom his influence cX-
tends. Here indeed n spectacle, study Tor
the philosophers and pricsts-I thought of the
scenes enacted in Missouri which were but as
yestcrday-when they were literally scattered by
the sword almost to the four winds of Heaven
and here again they were gathered, ready even TO
shout HoSannaS unto this extraordinary man, to
the number Of abon, FIRE thousand. But be not de-
ceived, my friend. If they are all fanatics, they
are not all fools. | was introduced TO several OF
the brethren. some OF the 1',ccire ApoS'ie$ who
had recently returned from Europe They spoke
of their labors in Great Britain of the glory OF tie
cause they had espoused, with great ieIvor and
piety They were gentleMcn of much address ana
Intelligence; many of them, | think, far superior
to Io Smith in talent or in acquaintance with
mankind and vet they verify believe that Jo is
the Amounted Of the Lord. My purpose was 10
have given YOU few extracts, or rather specimens,
OF JOS sermon; but my brief space will scarcely
admit of it in this cpstle. 1t would be perfect
curiosity | II assure you He disclaimcd all am
btion OF vain glory; but think ii evident he pos
sesscs suficency. In attempting to exhibit to
the brethren how much more ready the world Is
TO believe error than truth Jo' often made himself
the hero of the text, with not little seii-com-
placcncy either Notwithstanding his prctesSed
~ l.a VIpnA
lived. that we read about, there was not halt so
many rascallv living editors there is nowadays
Old Moses was commanded of God to Stay man,
but no such requirement Is made of Old 10 Smith,
o no. not as long us the lying editors continue
their abuse, the world is ready TO swallow II. -
He then entertained his hearers by relating
an anecdote, in point. AT the tune ne was
travelling in the stage from Missouri 10 Kirkland
Ohio how Young upStdrt OF = lawyer told a
long yarn about tho death OF 10 Smth'-dead
buried-having GOT shot; and how the brethren
held DOW WOW over the dead body; but ii availed
not, 10 would die because he was not strong IN
the faith This was his own version In con-
clucing this story, which was quite ingenious, tie
saws Well BRETHREN what do you think Do
you suppose the passengers IN that stage believed
me, or do YOU suppose they believed the lying
language? Well I'll tell YOU what they believed
they thought and said | was srcss impostor .
and for three days continuous travelling, could
not make them believe that | the verilable
Jo Smith thus it is brethren, says he,
mankind are prone to receive error rather than
,ru,h. and 80 they believe the thousands ct false
hoods circulated about religion, without con-
inc to sec and examine for themselves. Well. lie
away. We editors. l see We are determined TO
make 5is man of me anyhow but viii leave
the Prophets sermon. don't expect he VII!
thank we for what | have already said, and /
doubt not hell think 1t poor requItai, tor
~, L:..I..ss- La cy,endcd towards me; for can