the depositions and certificates of a large number of respectable citizens in western NewYork, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, respecting the pretended discovery, translation, and publication of the Book of Mormon, and also respecting the character of those engaged in the affair. Whatever may have been the success of this work on its publication, the author will not fail to realize a rich reward in the approbation of all who become acquainted with his industry, and especially in the gratitude of coming generations, should they be so unfortunate as to need demonstrative arguments in refutation of the system of imposture, whose origin he has delineated.

Corrill's "Brief History" comes from another, and a very different source. Its author was for several years a member and an elder of the Mormon church. He explains the process by which he became such, and the reasons why he continued so long an adherent to practices which his good sense and better feelings condemned. He also testifies to the incredible inconsistencies which at length drove him to the extremity of casting off his allegiance to a false prophet. His work is by no means full and explicit, and insomuch fails to be satisfactory. Nevertheless, in several respects, it is valuable. It was manifestly an object for the author, in justification of himself, to state the very best arguments that exist in favour of Mormonism-such as had been successful with himself, and with those among whom he had

been able to propagate the system; and we are disposed to pardon the generality of his remarks, and the reserve in his statements, when we consider that to have divulged more would have seemed like bearing witness against himself, and glorying in his own shame. Query. Why were not some of the elders of Israel, or of the apostolic church, at least as honest as this man, so that if, in the course of long and painful experience, they became convinced of their delusion, they would, like him, have confessed it, and thus set up a waymark for their countrymen and their children in coming days?

These works correspond in all the important particulars which they both contain, and from them will be abridged the facts which immediately follow.

that a

In the year 1827 it began to be rumoured "Golden Bible," or, in other words, a new revelation, recorded upon plates of gold, had been found in Ontario county, New-York, by one Joseph Smith.

In the year 1830 a publication made its appearance, entitled, "The Book of Mormon," purporting to be a translation of said record. Upon the divine authenticity of that book, upon its asserted miraculous preservation "in the bowels of the earth," and upon its equally miraculous discovery and translation, are predicated both the truth and the consistency of the whole system we are now discussing. It consequently becomes us to collect whatever light may be thrown upon the origin of so unusual a

publication. Upon the Book of Mormon rests the whole fabric of Mormonism: let us examine whether it be not a sandy foundation. That was the starting point of the whole prophetic race let us see whether it is from above or below. That is the fountain which has sent forth the whole flood of blessings or of curses attributable to this system: let us prove whether its waters are sweet or bitter.

CHAPTER II.

Character of inspired men-Vicious habits of the Smiths -Cupidity of Harris-A chance lie-Contradictions in maintaining it—A speculation contrived-Money-digging on the Susquehannah—A runaway match-Shocking destitution of moral principle.

WE will indulge for a moment the hypothesis that for wise and worthy reasons God did see proper then and there to make a revelation to the human family. It next becomes important to inquire who are the chosen vessels by whom the Almighty condescended to dispense such grace to the world. From what we know of the former-day saints and prophets, men “of whom the world was not worthy," we should expect if there were any righteous upon earthany full of faith and of the Holy Ghost-any who were watching with prayers and tears for the coming of the Lord, that the election would be made from among them. If this could not be so, we should at least look for the chosen ones

among the members of moral and respectable society. Both these expectations are doomed to disappointment by the facts in the case. Here is the testimony.

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Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1833. "We, the undersigned, being personally acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith, Sen., with whom the Gold Bible, so called, originated, state that they were not only a lazy, indolent set of men, but also intemperate, and their word was not to be depended upon, and that we are truly glad to dispense with their society.

PARDON BUTTs,
HIRAM SMITH,
JAMES GEE,

WARDEN A. REED,
ALFRED STAFford,
ABEL CHASE,

A. H. WENTWORTH,
JOSEPH FISH,

MOSES C. SMITH,

HORACE N. BARNES,

"Palmyra, Dec. 4, 1833.

SYLVESTER WORDEN."

"We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and, to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were, in particular, considered en

tirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits.

"Martin Harris was a man who had acquired a handsome property, and in matters of business his word was considered good; but on moral and religious subjects he was perfectly visionary-sometimes advocating one sentiment, and sometimes another. And in reference to all with whom we were acquainted, that have embraced Mormonism from this neighbourhood, we are compelled to say, were very visionary, and most of them destitute of moral character, and without influence in this community; and this may account why they were permitted to go on with their impositions undisturbed. It was not supposed that any of them were possessed of sufficient character or influence to make any one believe their book or their sentiments, and we know not of a single individual in this vicinity that puts the least confidence in their pretended revelations.

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George N. Williams, Clark Robinson, Lemuel Durfee, E. S. Townsend, Henry P. Alger, C. E. Thayer, G. W. Anderson, H. P. Thayer, L. Williams, George W. Crosby, Levi, Thayer, R. S. Williams, P. Sexton, M. Butterfield, S. P. Seymour, D. S. Jackways, John Hurlbut, H. Linnell, James Jenner, S. Ackley, Josiah Rice, Jesse Townsend, Richard D. Clark, Th. P. Baldwin, John Sothington, Durfey Chase, Wells Anderson, N. H. Beckwith, Philo Durfee, Giles S. Ely, R. W. Smith, Pelatiah West, Henry Jessup, Linus North, Thomas Rogers, 2d, Wm. Parke, Josiah Francis, Amos Hollister, G. A. Hathaway, David G. Ely, H. K. Jerome, G. Beckwith, Lewis Foster, Hiram Payne, P. Grandin, L. Hurd, Joel Thayer, E. D. Robinson, Asahel Millard, A. Ensworth, Israel F. Chilson."

After these statements, certified by sixty-two men of character and standing, who may be