The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-20

We have received by regular mail, accounts from
the Great Salt Lake City, Deseret, to the 18th OF
April, contained in the Journal printed there, called
the Desua N,rs, No. 81, published half monthly.
by w. Richards. II is filed with the minutes of
the General Conference of the Church of Jesus
Christ Of Latter Day Saints, otherwise called Nor
mons also, several epstles TO ths faithful-clear
accounts of the weather-the political movements
of the acknowledgement with articles on the
value of manure and the growth of beets, adver-
tisements ordinances, lists OF letters, notices, re-
movals, &C., &c.-an indicating a settled commu-
nifty, under stable government, influenced by the
new religion, and superintendent by the general
government
The stride which tho Mormons have made in
this country is wonderful and certainly is deserving
Of some attention. Mormonism, q sect, origi-
mated in this State about 1880, twenty years ago
thence passed to Ohio and Missouri, thence to lll
nos, and finally settled down in the Salt Lake
country, where it appears to be firmly established
and where it numbers its adherents and deyotees
by thousands. II was composed Of but very few
when it first started; but within comparatively
short time it has made remarkable progress. Ii
has extended it's operations, and instead Of being
confined to place, it has spread itself to different
parts Of the country. Its principal resting place
however, is at Salt Lake, between the Rocky Noun
taips and the Sierra Nevada, region which pos
vast agricultural and mineral resources, and
is, in many respects, similar to Palestine in the
Holy Land. The increase of the Mormons in that
place is remarkable and, if they go on at the same
rate, they will, before many years, be powerful
and influential sect. The communities which they
have established in the Northwestern states do net
exhibit the same increase, nor the same degree of
order, quiet, and respectabilty as that of the Salt
Lake does. Beaver Island has recently heen made
notorious in consequence Of the gross superstition
and villany of some Of the :" saints y" as they call
themselves, who placed in the position of rulers
but when the wheat is sifted from the chat there,
and the villains communicated, the COM
munity will, no doubt, recover its character, and
Mormonism will be increased there, and in other
parts Of the Northwest, and similar regions.
The rise and progress Of Mormonism in this
country presents singular phenomenon in re-
lgous fanaticism, blended with common and
industrious habits. They show that a revolution is
at work in the human mind on the subject of rei
gion, of which they are only part 1t will asto-
nish some of our readers when we inform them that
Mormenism has, in this age of boosted intelligence
made more rapid progress, and has more adherents,
than Christianity had in the same number of years
The foundation Of their faith is book called the
Mormon Bible, work written by Of genius
in his hours Of leisure, in the same vein, and in
much the same language as Is used in the Old Tes
lament. 1t is nothing, in fact, but religious no.
vel, protesting TO nlrrate the wanderings Of one Of
the family mentioned in the Pentateuch This book
o. fancy passed into the hands Of the celebrated Joe
Smith, who shot in in Illinois. The
prophet" as he is termed by his followers, came
from Canandaigua, in this State, where he first
prom ulgated the religion. He very
cunning and shrewd man With money raaed by
mortgaging o small farm, he had this book pub
lished, ard Immediately after it appeared he com.
menced his its expounder and the founder
Of the new religion From Csnsndaigua he went
to Ohio, thence to Missour-then TO Illinois, where
he met his death in the manner stated He and his
followers in Nauvoo, became obnoxious to the
people Of Illinois, disturbance ensued, the blood
Of the saints shed, and Joe Smith was killed.
Finding no resting place in civilized parts Of the
country, the Mormors at length settled down in the
remote salt Lake country. Since they went there,
and since the discovery Of the gold mines in Cali
forno, they have risen to great power-increased
their numbers to an amazing extent; have terri
torial government, organized under the authority
Of the United states, and possess the seeds Of fur
Their strength and power to an unlimited extern.
In mary respects, the progress and career Of the
Mormons resemble those Of the Methodists under
Wesley and Whitfield, and the probability is that
they will 20 increasing, until they become one Of
tic leading religious sec,s Of the country, and Of
the world. At present they are characterized by
too much bisotry; but they viii become more libe-
raj, doubt, in course Of time, and Be a. hume
rOus as any other Christian sect.
INCREASE OF CRIME ~ NEw lorE.-By the