The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-10-31
.Mormonism as a Substitute for
Christianity
Rev. Dr. d. J. Mcmillan will be ap
propriate here:

junction Of two lines of influences
under peculiar conditions. One line
proceeded from the southwest. Early
in the present century, the great new
frontier of our country lay between
the Allegheny mountains and the
Mississippi river, and stretched from
Canada to the Gulf. Multitudes from
the older states and from other coun-
tries rushed into this elderado with
much the same spirit of adventure
that marked the recent rush for the
Klondyke gold fields of Alaska. There
were a few godly ministers of differ
ent denominations who sought, with
true missionary spirit, to preach the
Gospel in the new communities which
were springing up everywhere. The
increasing demand for the preaching
of the Gospel gave rise to the camp
meeting, where crowds gathered and
dwelt in tents and booths in order
that they might hear the Gospel
preached for season. Great excite
ment prevailed. The religious emo
tions Of the penitents were manifest
ed III various and unaccountable
ways. The dancing exercise, uncon-
trollable laughter, violent jerking,
shouting, and weeping became COM
mon. Some yielding to their convic-
tions became fanatically devout, 9TH
ers resisting became violently ire
ligious. Ministers were too scarce to
furnish necdful instruction and pas
toral care. Pious young men of little
knowledge and less training, attempt
ed to supply the demand. These
blind leaders of the blind stumbled
into many a theological ditch.
Strange sects came into being. Some
had but short life and others en-
braced enough of truth to save them
from early death, while others still
became permanent and useful
branches of the Christian Church.
Among the young preachers who
entered the ministry in this irregular
way were ignorant and dangerous
men of popular gifts, who went from
church to church misleading the ex-
citable and finding no certain abiding
place in any sect. One of these no.
vices was Sidney Rigdon, whose
home avs in western Pennsylvania.
He was fond of debate, gifted with
fiuency of speech and pleasing ad-
dress, and possessed of ambition and
energy. He united with the Baptists,
but, disappointed in his desire for
leadership among them, he sought al
lance with Alexander Campbell. But
his restless disposition and cunning
methods offended the honest men of
that church and they soon dispensed
with his services. Then he war for
a time pastor of an independent
church in Pittsburg, and making the
bookstore and publishing house of
Patterson and Lamdin a place of fire.
quent resort, became somewhat famil-
lar with their business. Among the
was novel written by
Solomon Spaulding, and called "The
Manuscript Found" He advanced the
theory that the Indians in this coun-
try descended from two colonies, one
of which came from the Tower of
Babel, the other many centuries later
from Jerusalem. Mr.. Spaulding died
without having his novel published.
Mr.. Rigdon became deeply interest
,d in this novel and must have copied
It and changed it by introducing
many passages of scripture so as to
make it appear to be revelation
rom God. But his stay in Pittsburg
vas short. He started westward on
IN independent mission. He preach
I'd that the latter days were at hand,
md that God was about to reveal
new truth to his chosen few. He soon
lad fourishing church near Mentor,
Ohio.
The Other Line.
The family Of Joseph Smith claims
o be Of Scotch extraction and to have
ived in New England ever since 100.
The mother of Joseph was fortune
cller. Both parents were illterate
md superstitious. They were among
he people in Vermont who, during
he first decade Of the present CEN
ury, followed strange delusion un-
Ter the leadership of one Wingate.
BY the use Of an instrument which
hey called "St. Johns Rod" the fol-
overs of this imposter claimed to be
'ble to discover gold, silver, currents