The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-01-22
The Mormon Bible.

considerable attention, it may not be amiss
publish what is generally regarded as the
history Of the book, called the Mormon BIZ
BILE. The time has not yet arrived when
formal disproof Of its being an inspired
work is necessary, and a plain story will
not be denied on the ground Of its exceed
ing the supernatural.
The opinion is Of many years standing
that the utoriyincs q Of America are de-
scendants Of the lost tribes of Israel Adair,
in his history Of the North American In
dian, adopts this theory, and takes great
pains to prove it. He gives minute ac
count Of some Indian dances, where GER
tain words arc used, yo-ho wah,) which, by
little torturng, he supposes derived from
the word Je-hocah, thcrefore-very cogent
reasoning-the Indians came from the lost
tribes. Whether this account is more ac-
ceptable, or less so, than that Of Mynhccr
Diedrich knickcrbocker, in his vcracious
history Of New York, the learned must
Judge Dicdrich sreculates far and wide
to account for there being people on this
continent, but found the problem attended
with as much difficulty as other ethno-
graphers have experienced in accounting
for race Of bipeds on the Eastern Cont
nent. He finally cuts the knot by the sage
conclusion that the people Of this continent
came hereby accident.
BE this as it may, the opinion Of their
Israclitish descent has. had many supporters,
and, it so happening, an ingenious young
gentleman Of the bar, by the name ofSpaul-
ding, in the State of Connecticut, being
out Of health, and probably out of prac-
tice, determined to amusc and occupy bis
leisure hou,s, by writing romance upon
this idea-of the Jewish descent of the
North American Indians. Upon this idea
he wrote the book known as the Mormon
Bible.
The writer Of this article has been assur-
sured, by gentleman Of intelligence and
unquestonable veracity, that he came from
the town (not now rcmemberedD where Mr.
Spaulding lived, and that lie has seen per-
sons Of that town who had declared that
they saw whole chapters Of the Book Of
Mormons, when in the course Of compost
ton, shown to them by the author.
Mr.Spaulding finally emigrated, either
to improve his fortune or his health, or
both, and went to the interior of the State
ofNew York, where, it seems, he has been
lost sight Of He no doubt died without
being able TO find publisher for his ro-
nance, which ultimately turned up among
some rubbish in the garret Of printing es-
tablishment in Piltsburg, Pennsylvania,
where it was found by journamau printer
by the name Of Rigdon. This Rigdon
meeting with Joe Smith, for Joe Smith
meeting with him.) the two rogues togeth-
er determined to turn the work to account.
The book is written in Scrip!ural phras-
eology ; "and it came to pass" that Joe
and Rigdon made a bunging addition by
way Of preface, stating that certain metallic
plates had been 'nisteriously discovered un-
der a certain hill--th,ls aud so-all scrib
bIed with strange characters, and that, in
short, Joe had been illuminated from heav-
en-, and empowered and instructed to "rcad,"
whence, according to their account, 10 and
behold, the book of Mormon came forth
of course from heaven; though some think
the other place has higher claim to pa
terhity.
The book, in itself, is not bad romance.
The author takes up the lost tribes and has
them marched to the Tor a) coast, where
vessels are constructed, upon which they
embark, and guided Ly miraculous, nee
die, supernaturally proyided-by WHICH the
reader may see that the mariners compass,
lhongh without, a name, is older than any
thing Of the sort known to the Chinese,
who know everything excepta a steam en-
gine guided, say, bya miraculous nee
!: die, they are conducted to (a) coast where
they land. Tho soast is our own.s After
landing and occupying the country, the
author, to provide bimself with incidents
for ''ch.onicles," introduces the serpent dis:
cord and brings about separation anda
long series of wars and conflicts. 4
The author, knowning by an easy meth
Cd of foresight (after the fact) all Of the
controvsrted points oftheology, has taken,
care TO solve them by sindisputable author
ity. The question ofthe trinity, the doc.
trines. Of free-agency, baptism, DO, are all
de6nitive)y settled beyond and farther, dis
pute for all,those who accept the Mormon
book as the fruits inspiration very
easy method. y