The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-11-03

passages IN scripture which are hard to
be understood, and about the exact mean
ing of which the learned disagree. Ex-
perience shows that men may pore over
the hidden meaning Of snch passages un-
til they become religiously insane, and are
thus led to "wrest the Scriptures to theiI
own destruction" When we find the
most mysterious parts of the Bible, in
cluding the prophecies and revelations, in
variably quoted to sustain their peculiar
views by the Mormnnite and Mllerite
preachers, and this with degree of posi-
tiveness of assertion which will admit of
no consideration, common sense as well as
Christianity plainly shows such preachers
to be nothing but religious fanatics or i'm
posters. "Fools rush in where angels fear
to tread"
The first Mormon settlement was form
ed at Kirkland, in Ohio, in January, 1881.
10 this place the prophet and his people
removed, where Pratt and Rigdon had
already society of over thousand to re-
ceive them. In the month of June, joseph
Smith professed to have received reveia-
ton, which resulted in the sending forth
OF mission of elders into Missouri. The
site for city was selected, which was
called Zion, and there was soon collected
IN jackson county, Missouri, over 1900
Mormons, buying lands and. cultivatinp
them peaceabIy. Two years thus passed
away in peace, but in 1884, the people in
jackson county collected and drove them
out. This attack appears to have been
altogether unjust, and without any mo-
tive but the fear of the Mormons gaining
political ascendency in the county, and
a dislike to their fanatical doctrines and
institutions. The Mormons again gather
ed rapidly together in Clay and the ad
joining counties, and prosperity again ac-
comPanied them in all their efforts. In
1887 a Mormon bank was established at
kntland, and public credit obtained to a
considerable amount. This bank failed
IN 1883, and its managers were prosecut-
ed for swindiing. The Mormons in Mis-.
sour and Ohio were now driven out of
these States, and $4,000 Of them arrived
on the banks Of the Mississippi, in desti-
tute condition. Their tale Of distress
touched the hearts of the Illinoisians. and
they received them Hospitality, furnishing
them with both food and clothing and n
place on which TO effect a settlement
The city OF Nauvoo was now built by the
Mormons, and the site for temple chosen.
The State favored the exiles; charters were
obtained for the city, with peculiarly IA
yorable privileges; the Nauvoo Legion was
Incorporated, and the arms of the State
loaned, in which thex sseza yell dxillasaD
prophet as Lieutenant-General. Mission
aries were now sent abroad to Palestine,
Africa, and Europe.
One of that band, still well affected to-
wards Mormonism, though differing on
one point from its teachings, related to
Lieut. Gunnison some parts Of the dis
course Of Joseph Smith to the Missiona-
ries.
One main point insisted on was, that
spiritual wifery" was to be most pointed
ly denied; and that they taught that one
man should live in chaste fidelity with one
woman in conjugal relationship. In the
dark concerning the revelation allowing
polygamy, he sincerely declared that but
one wife was ever known to any Of his
brethren. While zealously preaching in
the city Of New York, he was thought
worthy, by the Apostle Lyman, to be let
into the secret Of the BLESSINGS of Jacob"
the privileges Of the Saints. Called aside
one day by the President of the State, he
was told that God had always rewarded
His distinguished saints with special pri-
vileges, such rs would he wrong for sim
ners, but by revelation made harmless to
the good. AS an instance he would cite
Jacob, David, aud Solomon, who had ma
ny wives allowed them. In these last
days, also, the like had been accorded TO
Joseph Smith and Others; and having now
full confidence in his holiness, the priest
could have the same privilege of adding
to the household Of the faith many chill
dren, by choosing additions to the present
wife. The priest says he was utterly as
founded, but, on reflection, chose TO dis
semble, and say he would consider the
matter. In the evening he was invited to
witness "a sealing of several couples, at
large clearinghouse. In the front par
ior the ceremony, like q marriage, was
performed; and, as each pair was "finish-
ed" BY the priest they retired through the
folding doors, and thus to their own apart
ments. The guest was so shocked, that
he ntired to bis home, and though he
never took any open part against the
church OF new privileges" he was de-
nounced as deserter in their papers, and
the public cautioned against him as de
famer.
From 1898 10 1874, Mormonism ap-
pears to have been in a state Of continu.
ous prosperity at Nsuvoo. Il was during
this peaceful interim, that the revelation,
allowing TO Joseph, and the high priests
OF the Mormon hierarchy, as many wives
as they could support, was alleged TO have
been received from Heaven, In vain the
wife Of Joseph, styled BY himself aud fol-
lowers, "fhs Elect Lady" threatened, by
way Of retaliation, TO take another hus-
hands kka o-l,, Cancellation H. -ooo:.,ol