The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-09-20
Vbc Westerlp Gfbo,
AND
Pawc atuok AdvepGisar.
Westerly, Septe mber 20, 1855.
MOrlnOniS =

|
Of all the strange things to be met in
this strange world of ours, there is none
more strange than the religious element
implanted in the human mind. We
believe there are very few if any of the
human family but what have religion.
Indeed, man might very properly be
styled, in contro- distinction to the other
parts of creation, a religious ANIMAL
Notwithstanding the propensity of the
human heart to reject the true religion,
it is not satisfied without a substitute,
and we are somtimes almost led to think
the more dissonant religious system is
to the genuine religion of the Bible, the
more ready the multitude are to receive
it.
; We have watched the progress of
Mormonism with some attention since
the disciples of Joe Smith. settled at
Salt Lake, and the rapid increase Of
their numbers, their proselyting zeal
and unscrupulous energy in effecting
their purposes, have forced upon US the
conviction that there is danger of serious
difficulty to this country from that source
in the future, without the interposition
of some now unforeseen event. Those
who regard such thing as improbable,
should take comprehensive look at the
present Aourishing condition of Mormon
ism, with its chief city in the very GEN.
ter of the country, its representatives in
the legislative halls, its travelling preach
ers and agents, and their publications.
The religious belief of the Mormons
and their domestic policy are evidently
not repulsive, even to many who have
enjoyed the benefits of Christian in
structiou, or they would not make so
many converts, many Of whom have
come out of the religious societies of the
country. AS to that part of Mormon
ism which would strike one as being the
most revolving and unnatural, the most
repugnant and impossible to any one
educated under Christian influences, the
plurality Of wives, it does not seem to
be any bar to the making of converts
there would rather seem to be facina-
tion in it that lures the depraved and
the weak-minded. The Mormon, new
weekly paper recently established in
New York City, boldly and unblushing-
ly asserts that polygamy is not only one
of the cherished institutions of the Lat.
ter Day Saints, but maintains that it il
an cminently Christian and biblical prac
tice. There was sort Of delicacy
among the disciples in touching on this
subject when the charge was first made;
indeed, it was denied as being one Of
the tenets of the new faith. But the
editor of the Mormon takes the subject
by the horns, in bold and fearless
|, manner, which shows that he cherishes
it as an article of faith dear to his heart
The following is from the pen of tina
hopeful conservator of public morals -
con this, our first issue, it may b.
expected that something should be sale
by us, in relation to this matter. Thi.
We undertake as cheerfully as any other
task /; for we are not ashamed, here, ir
: this, the great Metropolis Of America
this theater of Arts, Science, and Com
: mcrce; this nucleus of intelligence ant
, ignorance, wisdom and folly, religion ant
} in6delity, virtue and vice, purity anc
corruption in this city Of gorgeous
splendor and squalid misery, and want
to declare that we are polygamists. We
are not ashamed to proclaim to thii
great nation to rulers and people; Il
the President, Senators, Legislators
and Judges to high and low, rich ane
poor, priests and people, that We ar,
firm and conscientious believers 10 polyg'
amy and that it is part and parce
of our religious creed. We do this
calmly, seriously and understandingly
after due dcliberation, careful examina.
ton, and close investigation of its prin.
ciples and bearings religiously, social.
ly, morally, physically, and politically
we unhesitatingly pronounce our full and
implicit faith in this principle, as sua-