Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-06-24

the fact of its Subsequent elevation into
the character of symbol, or type, en-
blematical of the union of Christ and
His church. Polygamy degrades and
destroys this beautiful and divine rela.
tion, and makes woman wretched,
homeless being. II corrupts the public
morals, debases physical manhood-its
wages, like all other sins, being death.
The speaker here quotes from the book
published by John Hyde, Jr., former
Mormon elder, in which is shown some
OF the effects of polygamy. He then
proceeds as follows -
Brigham Young has married sisters in
two families. His first and only lawful
wife was Mary Ann Angel. Some years
after he married Jemima, her sister. His
first wife in plurality" or "second wo-
man." as he would call her was Lucy
Decker. He afterwards married Clara
Decker, her sister, while Lucy was living
and both have been favorites" of his
harem.
That many of the women, especially
the :" first wives" are unhappy and COM
planning, fully appears from the extracts
of sermons Of Young and Kimball, al
ready quoted. Nature revolts against
the practice, and those who have been
entrapped in it must writhe under its
calling chains. af
Mr.. Hyde, who was Mormon, but
never polygomist, and from whom I
have already quoted, relates many in
stances Of faithful wives in Utah who
have been ruined and driven to despera-
tion because their husbands have gone
into plurality" and brought home more
women" The majority are forced to
drag out a miserable life. Some obtain
divorces, though they are ridiculed and
hunted for SO doing some seek to drown
their misery by drinking whiskey and
others sink into the lowest debauchery.
Mormonism is whirlpool, and few who
are brought within its influence and
bound by its horrid oaths, ever escape.
According to Mormon law the penalty
of adultery is death, and many have
been killed and others doomed to SIM
liar fate. This and many other inven-
tions, and much preaching, keeps most
of the women" in tolerable subjection.
Many of the wives believe in poly
gamy as religious duty, SO duped and
deluded are they, and stoically endure
what their natures condemn. have
read of some women who have become
wite-hunters for their husbands. A Mrs.
Howard of Salt Lake City, became mad
ly infatuated with Mormonism. Her
husband saw young lady and admired
her, got acquainted with her, and be-
came fond of her. He told his wife of
the affair, and desired her to call on
this young lady and request her to mar
ry him. The wife, notwithstanding her
Mormon delusion, wept bitterly at this
unnatural command. She loved her
husband devotedly, aud had brought him
four children. She felt as woman in
such condition only can feel but Nor
monism was stronger than nature. She
went and asked this girl to become the
wife of her husband, but the girl refused.
She informed her husband of the result,
and this man bitterly reprosched his
madly devoted wife for not succeeding,
attributing the failure to his wife's ieal-
ousy. Mrs. Howard did not murmur,
but only wept, while he blubbered like q
boy, and told her how much he loved
this young woman, and how miserable
he must be without her. He even forced
this weeping woman to make another
trial, but happily a second refusal set
tied the matter. Was ever cruelty more
refined or complacency more complete?
Mormonism is ingrained in the hearts Of
these women, and every hope is centered
in it. They are taught to believe that
Godhas established an Immaculate priest
hood on the earth, and they blindly be-
lieve and obey all they are commanded.
Degraded into slaves by this barbarism,
hey are almost as submissives and as
and some Of them as ignorant,
Is the Indian squaws around them.
So far have spoken of polygamy
roper, or what the Mormons call aplu-
atty" They have, however, another
ystem of marriage, in the carrying out
# which there is still more of the afro
,ious and corrupt. This is what they
all "the sealing for eternity" They
ontend that the married relationship
vas intended as eternal, and, being re-
igious ceremony, that it must be per-
ormed by an ecclesiastical dignitary.
III other marriages are nero contracts
till death" and are null and void af.