Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-01-06

ii''1i''i'tNs lt htlNifiIt ~ ltUlhlt IN
lcellence, which marks refined state of So
cicty, is stigmatised by the Momons as
Gentle galIan,ry and fashion" To give
the post of honor or of comfort to the lady,
in the code Of " Latter.day" etiquette, is
reckoned an absurdiiy. If there is but one
seat, IL belongs Of right to the gentleman,
who is bound to lead the way, aud let the
! Mormon dame enter the house or room be-
hind him.
In social parties aud lively meetings the
I Mormons are prceminent, and their hospi-
talty would be more readily extended to
strangers, had they suitable dwellings TO
invite them into.
The adobe or sun-dried brick is now
furnishing material, and the oue-room log
buildings are being replaced by spacious
and commodious houses.
la their social gatherings and evening
parties, patronized by the presence Of the
prophets and apostles, it is not unusual to
open the ball by prayer, asking the blessing
of God upon their amusements, as well as
upon any other engagement-and then will
follow the most sprlghtly dancing, in which
all join with hearty good will, from the high
est dignilarles to the humblcst individual /;
and this exercise is to become part OF the
temple worship, to praise God in songs
aud dances
These private balls and soirees are fire.
queutly extended beyond the time Of cock
Growing by the younger members, aud the
remains Of the evening repast furnish the
breakfast Cor the ioyial guests
The cheerful, happy faces-the self
a.f faff i ..f
ton Of brother or sister on al occasions of
address-the lively strains of music pouring
forth from merry heart, in every domicil,
as women and children sing their songs Of
Zion while plying their domestic tasks
give an impression Of happy society ia the
Wales of Dcseret
The dignity Of labor is held sacred by
the Mormons, and eNemplhed by their or
gauizltlon aud requirements. A lazy per-
son Is either accused OF likely to be uac-
iuine,s is their motto; and those who will
not keep themselves, or try their best, are
left Go stafve into Industry This is lucul-
Gated Ia their creed though the prophet
Joseph was excused from physical labor "a
Kirkland, his attention being sufficiently &C.
cupied with the government Every one is
expected TO work and bring IN his iIthes,
and the President sets The example 10y work
iug at his trade of carpenter, on his own
mills IN the kanyou. 1t is a well-devised
scheme and the more furnishing the la.
borcrs the greater the income of the priests
The income Is expended GA public works,
the temple, The bridges, aud public charity,
and IA supper, Of the families of those on
missionary duty
The labor for support Of oneself and
fero'iy - taught, TO DE OF as divine a charac-
Ter as pubic worship aud prayer In prac-
80. ''ef 'te"s unne thein 80 as Ia procu.'.
all the benefits Of social Christianity with
out running into Communism. The priest
and the bishop make it their boast that. like
Fau! the tenImaker, they earn their bread
10y the sweat of their brow. and teach by
example on the week day. wha. they preach
on sunday, concerning the virtue of indus
try. Ga the pulpit stand they dispense the
word OF tie gospel, and tcoyk harder than
when they plant, sow, or reap IN the field
or team for wood in the kanyon. or Div tbe
spade, the uowel, OF the hammer. This
brings all orders together and makes them
acquainted where no art or cunceainent is
praciised, and destroys that distinction Of
pastor aud layman 10y the difference of dress
and demeanor, Which keeps them strangers
TO each others real sentiments. And it
gives the priests the advantage of knowing
the turns of thought, the doubts on doctrine,
and degree of enlightenment Of those who
are TO be his auditors, aud be can adapt his
discourse accordingly, and make an impress
sion"
The most offensive feature in the Nor
mon economy, as described ~ this volume.
Is doubtless The custom Of polygamy. De-
stroylng, as II does, all freedom of affection
IN woman, degrading her to the rank of
cypher IN society, and converting the most
sacred relation Of life into a state of AFFECT
dependence, It must soon become as lnto-
cradle 10 the Mormon community as it is
odious to the civilized world Many on the
frontiers have already deserted the "seaed"
relation and married hal-breeds and Pota-
waIamies, preieuing life of reciprocal pr-
Wegcs IN the cabins of Nebraska to the sub
lection and ennul of a Mormon seraglo.
The young men also are indignant at the
invasion OF their rights when daughter re-
lecis their suit in obedience to a mothers
ambition which aims at an alliance with a
seer or an apostle, in order to obtain &C.
lesllai queenship IN the world TO come.
The theology of the MormoDs is evident
y tissue of contradictions and gross alb
snrdities. Connected, however, with the
pretenslon to miraculous gifts, it will no
doubt continue to appeal to the elements of
superstition and ranatlcism, which abound
IN every transitional age like the present.
In negative point of view, the phenomena
OF Mormonlsm are of great significance.
They show the decay Of traditional faith
among the masses, as well as among the
educated and rejecting orders of society.
As necessary elements IN the general chaos,
they lead the hopeful aud believing to look
forward to the better lime, when faith shall
be relnstated on The basis of humanity, aud
the law written on the heart shall govern
the institutions Of men.
Ghc 11lnm ouA ihr Gnr