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

of their time to the temple aud other public
works The Bishops have charge Of til,
1.-THE labor, aud put the proceeds in til,
public store-houses. The priesthood ha
many grades Of offices and gifts. The frs
is the Presidency Of three persons, cores
pondng to the Trinity in Heaven and more
particularly to Peter, James and John, the
first Presidents of the Gospel Church. Mex
in order is the travelling High Apostolic
College Of Twelve Apostos-then the high
priests, priests, elders, bishops, teachers
and deacous, with the evangeists or miss
Ionaries Of the three seventies Each order
constitutes full quorum for the discipline
of its members, but appeals lie to higher or
ders, and the whole church is the final ap.
pellate court assembled in General Council
A High Council, consisting Of twelve men,
bcrs, is selected ont of the high priests, and
holds 4 perpetual session for the advice OF
the Presidency each one being free TO give
and argue his opinion but the decision OF
the President is absolute, and demands inn
pllcit obedience. This Council is eye, ear,
and hand, TO the Presidents the members
are spies in all matters in the field or the
temple, IN the social party or the domestic
circle.
"Their mode Of conducting worship is
to assemble at particular hour, aud the
senior priest then indicates order by bless
ing on the congregation and exercises, when
hymn from their own selection is sung,
prayer made eXtempore aud another sacred
sony followed 10y sermon from some one
previously appointed to preacL; winch is
usually continued by oNaortations and re-
marks from those who feel moved upon TO
speak Then notices of the arraugcn cnt
OF The 1.-THE labor for the ensuing week, aud
information on all secular matters, interest
ing to them ia church capacity, are read
by the council clerk, aud the Congregation
dismissed by benediciion.
While the congregation is assembling
and departing from the house, 1t is usual Tor
a large aud excellent baud Of music To per-
form anthems, marches, and nahzes, which
DIVES away aIl somhre lccla-s and pre-
plres the mud for the exciting aud often
eloquent discourses. As there are a large
uuubci of Welsh 40 the meetings, and ma.
uy of them not understanding tie English
language, version Of the principal dis
course Is sometimes made to them by an
interpreter, aud Welsh choir will then
eXhlartte all present by singing one Of
iheir hymns, TO one Of their charming, wild,
romantic airs"
ne doctrine aud custom Of polygamy
has been gradually introduced among tie
Mormons, aud may now be regarded as d
Characteristic feature of their social orraui-
Iation. II was at fret announced that the
lnunders Joseph Smith, and those Nc a ou- bt
ia'thiul, like The saints Of old. David Solo-
mon, and Jacob, should be priyilered Ia
have as many wives as thcy Couig ,t.uufl.t
q" ra'se up holy priesthood for the srivite
~ we lord The nriyilerci - o. irr-I
seems now 10 have become univr~s II gnd to
c'a'm the sanction of religions principle.
u is taught that The use aud foundation of
matrimony Is to raise up peculiar, holy
people for the Kingdom OF Chris, ON earth.
aud that at the Millennium, the glory ofihe
man Viii be in proportion to the SIZE of his
household of children, wives and servants.
None, however, but those eIirible 10 The
priesthood have a right to marry al ALL
he woman that marries out OF The nriest-
hood marrles for hell. Marriage IS to be a
pure aud holy state, prompted alone by reli-
glons motives and sense of duty sensual
motives beng held up as an abumnaton.
II IS affirmed that a woman cannot enter
mo the kingdom OF heaven, without a hus-
baud To introduce her as belonging 10 him
seit The addition Of wives after ;he first
TO a mans family is called a "sealinr 10
hm. This constitutes relation with al
the rights aud sanctions of matrimony.-
The idea OF an exclusive love is deridcd.
The Seer alone has the power of allowing
ihe number of wives TO be increased the
suitor must obtain the consent of the pa
rents, then Of the lady, and finally of the
Seer Every unmarried woman has riaht
to demand man IN marriage on the ground
OF the privilege of salvation: the President
who receives the petition is bound to pro-
cure her husband; he may demand any
man he deems competent 10 support her, to
ADD her to the number Of his wives; and
unless he can show just impeachment, if he
declines the union, he is punished for con-
lumacy. The Seer has also powe-to annul
The marriage contract, and dissose the re-
lationship of the parties. In some instances.
several wires occupy the same hobse. but ii
IS more usual Ia board out the estra ones.
who are generally able 10 pay thdr way. by
sewing and other female employments.-
The Mormons assert that this system is
the preventive aud cure for the awful licen-
tlousness-the moral aud physical degrade
ton IN the world and they make it both a
religious and social custom, a point or per-
sonai honor for a man whose wife. danph-
ter, or sister has been led astray, to kill the
seducer; aud considering this as common
mountain law based on the Mosaic code,
jury will acquit the murderer at all haz-
ards. That the wives find the relation often
lonesome and burdensome one is certain .
though usually the surface of society wears
a smiling counlenance, and to all who con
sent from sense Of duty or enthusiasm
the yoke IS easy. The wife of The prophe,
joseph rebelled against il, and declared if
he persisted she would desert for another,
but the only satisfaction she received was
that prophet must obey the Lord. When
such wives rebel the proceedings are very
summary, and public opinion sustains the
cause against the woman. A very exem-
plary woman in the valley is looked upon as
having broken her VOWS for deserving the
lad !