The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-24
A RELIC OF JOE SMITH.


Seattle w. 7 Chronicle.
Through the courtesy of Mr. John f. Kin
near a Chronicle reporter was yesterday
shown an autograph letter written by the
famous Mormon prophet Joseph Smith,
copy of which is given below The manu-
script is written in a somewhat cramped, but
still legibe hand, and shows a total disregard
for the rules of punctuation, not a single
point OF this character appearing in the
original. The letter was addressed to R. D.
Foster, one of the Mormon apostles, at that
time in Washington City endeavoring to i'll
Huence legislation faVorably to the new
creed. The mass of the Mormons were then
settled al Nauvoo H., where dissensiOn was
rife between them and the gentle popula-
ton. A reference to this disturbance IS
maze by Smith in the subioined letter
written from near Philadelphia shortly after
one OF his visits to that city. The manuscript
came into the possession of Mr.. kinnear
through client of his, the executor OF Eos
ter, and is lent additional interest from the
present vexed state of the Mormon question.
1t reads as follows:
JERSEY CHU RCH, NEAR WARRENToE,
Dec. 80, 1889.
Dear Brother-I received letter from you and
one from President RigdOn, which gave me much
satisfaction. / have had very good visit in
this place and enjoyed myself very agre eably.
| have preached and bore testimony several
times in this city. The church in Philadelphia
numbers about toPty-hve members, and there
were four or five more candidates this morning
when left the city. We came away this morn
ing before the posto1ice was open and probably
missed of hearing further from you. Twas glad
to hear that President RigdOn is gaining further
in health and trust that it will please God TO re-
store him again speedily to health, so that he
may he able to attend to the duties wlrich neces-
that his voice may be once more heard among
the congregations of the saints, and also among
those that not yet saints. He would be very
welcome visitor IN Philadelphia and the rest of
the churches in this region. / think great
work will yet be done in Philadelphia Our
Westinghouse Is very much crowded with at
tentive hearers. and there are, no doubt, many
believers from the favorable expressions, friend
ly treatment and good feelings which they mani
fest toward myself and brethren. have many
invitations to visit private families in almost
every portion OF the city, many more Than can
possibly attend to. am at this time surrounded
by good circle OF brethren, sisters and friends
hope yOu will, by the help of God, be able 10
succeed in Washington to the utmost of your
expectations in bringing many from darkness
to light. and that the deaf may hear the words of
the book, that they who erred in Judgment may
come to understanding, and they thai muir
INJURED may learn doctrine, and that the fear of
God may he taught by the precepts of men, but
according to the Will of God. expect you VIII
write to us usual. / have been laboriny here
constant that 1 have not been abe to
write to you, and Judge has been
here hut snort time. He has been
engaged in writing the affidavit that President
RigdOn has called for. We have our wagon and
horses in Jersey. We found no sale for them in
Philadelphia, hence We have brought them mere.
p 2. Pratt has arrived i'll This city. He has
brought some books here. He has got a new
work published of some poems, with treatise
on the eternity of matter, etc, etc. Brother 0.
Pratt is also here, and Is on his way to New
York. Judge says he Is glad you have rcmem-
hered him, and is obliged for the advice you
gave, and that you have such compassionate
feelings toward him. Brother Winchester is
here in New Jersey with us. He has sUemmed
the torrent like a good soldier for the cause. In
New York there are about l60 members. We
expect to hold ourselves IN readiness to go be-
fore the committee. Also, p. p, Pratt. You will
therefore write concerning the time when you
expect the business will be before the commit
tee. We have just received an account going
the rounds of the newspapers concerning my
person, ETC., which perhaps you have seen, They
have n good opinion of my sincerity and upon
the whole the place is not so bad as 1t might be
expected. Some OF the twelve are ON thetf way
to Observation-Disclosures Woodruff Brother Taylor
and Brother Furiey. You may seud me letters
to Philade phia. and we will take them out III
masses, and when we get them am in hopes
the blockade will be raised IN the Vest. SO that
may get a shower of letters. 1t seems
the trouble still continues between Iowa and
Missouri. The priests IN Philadel phia are very
mute. We understand they have advised lie
people To search the scriptures, which, If they
do, viii be to our advantage. pray God mat
you may have wisdom given YOU 10 conduct
wisely in all things pertaining to your opera
mons in the ministry. We are going to hold a
couple of meetings here, and then expect TO re-
turn to Philadelphia on Saturday or Monday.
Mr. Bangor. n clergy man In.t he city, has mani
tested great friendship toward us, ana has i'll
vited me To make his house NV home while re-
main in the city, and he thinks he will get the
Universalist Church, a large building, for me to
preach in. Be assured of our love To yourself
and PreSiQeur RlgdOu. :