The Washington herald., 1913-06-22
By JOSEPH p. AMIN.

BY Jos6Th
In the private collection of autograph
letters of a Washington man have come
to light two of more than usual interest.
One is from Noah Webster. Americas
first great photographer and etymolo-
gist. The second is from Brigham Young.
perhaps the most famous of the Nor
mon chiefs.
In these days when national statesmen
are spelling down Washington jour
nalists; when both are being ''stumped"
by words from the old blue-backed speller
of our fathers. the while senior living
ex-Presidents and killed philanthropists
are seeking to apply the rule of reason
TO the formation of English words, the
caustic observations of Mr.. Webster on
the condition of English philology, both
here and in England. shortly after he
published his large dictionary, are Of
more than usual interest Some of Mr..
webster's observations, moreover. might
be construed as back-handed slaps upon
"trash-writers" and makers of ''pot-boil-
ers' in the literary world.
The letter of Prophet Young was ad-
dressed 10 a young man then living in
Massachusetts, in 1854. The truth Of the
matter is that the prophet was the vic
tim of a more or less practical Joke in
that the name he addressed was in itself
as fictitious as the conviction alleged by
the giyer of the name in favor of Nor
monism. The New England jokester de-
sired an autographed letter from Presi-
dent Young of the Mormon Church. In
order to get it he assumed a fictitious
hrrr aTaI 70
to Salt Lake that he and about twenty
other young men had about decided to
throw in their lot with the Latter-day
Saints. but desired some further infor-
nation on the subject
Was Seeking Converts.
President Young lost no time in doing
everything he could to strengthen the
young men in their alleged convictions.
After writing the letter to the ring
leader of the jokesters he addressed an
other communication 10 the Mormon
agent in New York, urging the latter to
get into touch with this fine bunch of
converts with the view TO shipping them
out to great Salt Lake City. At last re-
ports the Mormon Church had made no
converts in New England as the result
of this correspondence.
The Brigham Young letter follows:
Great Salt Lake City.
October 81, 1854.
Dear Sir: Your favor of 22d instant
informing me of the conviction of your
self and friends. respecting the religious
belief and practices of the Latter-day
Saints, and your and their decision to
throw in your lot with US in this coun-
try, has been duly received and perused
with interest. 1 am pleased to know that
you have taken pains to carefully read
and investigate our doctrines and prin- |
ciples as set forth in our own publica- |
tons. besides perusing what our enemies |
say respecting us. This course of read |
ing must have given you a very good
idea of us a people
You inform me that you and your
friends desire TO become 'Mormons,' and
that YOU wish to ascertain If the project
is feasible. and also the best method of
accomplishing this object We have elders |
in the East who, if you could see them. |
would readily administer the ordinance |
of baptism to yourself and friends, the |
prerequisites being that you believe in |
Jesus Christ. the Son of God and the |
Saviour OF the world, and repent truly |
and sincerely of all your sins. You see |
by this that the project of becoming |
Latter-day Saints, or 'Mormons,' is quite |
feasible, and the method an easy one
for the truly repentent.
President Young's Advice.
Il should recommend you to take steps !
at the earliest opportunity, and if you
go forth with broken and contrite spirit, |
believing in Jesus Christ and determined
to forsake all your sins, and are baptized |
for the remission OF them. and also have
hands laid upon your heads for the re-
ception of the Holy Ghost by one who
has the authority to administer these
holy ordinances. you will receive that
spirit, and it will bear testimony to you
that you have obeyed the truth-the
Gospel of the Son of God. When you
take these steps. and obtain this knowl-
edge, then you will be in a condition to
understand our views and position, and
you will have the strength necessary to
enable you TO bear patiently any trials