The New York herald., 1870-05-30

Tne subjoined able review of discourse preached
recently at Washington d. c.. by Rev. DR.. Newman,
and which appeared on the succeeding day in the
columns Of the HERALD, will, doubtless, command
profound attention emanating, does, from of
the most earnest and authoritative thinkers and
leaders OF the Mermon Church in Utah. The dis
course OF Dr.. Newman attracted great notice from
the fact that he is pastor OF the congregation of
Which President Grant is a member and trustee, and
the views enunctated by the reverend gentleman
were by many accepted as rejection OF the .opin-
ions entertained by the executive head of tle gov
ernnent on this important question. 1t will also be
remembered that the President, with several mem
bers OF the Cabinet, were present at the church on
the occasion OF the delivery of the DISCOURSE and
this fact was also accepted as one OF deep Sig
nGcance.
whether Elder Pratts reply may be considered as
a complete defence OF polygamy, or all tnat may be
said in Justification Of The system, is a question
which Cannot perhaps. be determined without due
and careful reelection. The following is his reply IN
ertenS0:--
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Hay a, 1870.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ, EDITOR NEW YORK
AS bill Is now before Congress in which it Is pro-
posed to abolish the divine Institution OF poygamy
as taught In the Bible, ana some writers ana cee-
braed divnes are using all their powers of eoquence
10 urge or this unconstitutional measure !, there
call your attention 10 some OF the Scriptura evil
dences In favor Of plural marriage AMI to briefly
reply to The most import ant objections urged against
H. In the HERALD of tfe 18th ut nnd an elaborate
DISCOURSE BY REV. DIR. NEWMAN
on the subject Of polygamy delivered In Washing.
ehodist church, OF which President Grant Is
trustee and member. The congregation was large
and highly fashionable. Among those present were
the President and Mrs. Grant Vice President ColiaX,
Chief Justice Chase Speaker Blaine and numerous
other high o'iicals' The reverend gentleman chose
for his text the following words
Have ye read. that He which them begin
ming made them male and femae?-Matthew. XIX, L.
The learned doctor informs his illustrious congre.
CATION that his text 'containS the intention Of the
Divine Creator, and is here referred to IN condemna.
ton OF polygany and In approval OF monogamy." lie
further states that Jesus delivered a discourse
on marriage, in which lie affirmed three PROPOSE
uons:-
Fdst-That marriage is divine Institution.
Seond-That marriage is homogeneous, indicated by the
that in the marriage union the and the
became that the to leave his father and
TrThat marriage indissoube, except for one
That Jesus ''aiirmedr the first and third OF the
above propositions Is most certainly true; but that
He ''afilrmedn or even "indicated" "that marriage
is homogeneous only is not susceptible OF proof,
either directly or indirectly from the Divine Record.
lhat COD lat the beginning made them male and
woman Is no evidence either for or against pOyga.
my existing among the descendants OF the first pair.
But II Is argued by
THE OPPONENTS OF PoLYGAMY
lnat the Creator could easily have formed several
WV wives lor Adam; but, inasmuch as He only made
one, he showed preference for m0nogamy. As
wen might they argue that as the great Creator did
uot MAKE any provisions to prevent the first genera
C!on oi tle cn'ldren OF Adam from marrying their
own bfothers and sisters, therefore all future gene
n,s sssos mus. @ o. limited IN marriage TO their own
bf0thers and sisters. Gould not the Creator have
prevented interma rtages among blood relations by
toraain6 severaa par ~ once aud compauding the