amusing publications to which the controversy and mocker of the last days, speaking evit of such has given rise, is a "Dialogue between Nelly dignities as Abraham and Brigham. (P. O. 12.) and Abby," published in the weekly organ of Mormonism. Nelly is a rebellious saint, and opens the discussion by addressing her more submissive cousin as follows:

Dear Cousin Abby, I have been very anxious to see you, ever since I heard of the new revelation. I know that nothing has ever come up yet in this Church that could stumble you. But I think now, when your John comes to get two or three more wives, you will feel as keenly as any

of us.

But it would be well if the apologists of polygamy confined themselves to the patriarchal dispensation. For some excuse might then be made for their mistake, considering the vague notions concerning the authority of the Old Testament which prevail among our popular religionists, and remembering even in our pulpits we too often hear Isaac and Jacob cited as perfect exemplars of Christian life. But when they venture to quote the New Testament in support of their prac The believing Abby replies, by expressing tices, we see at once the impudent dishonesty The Devil has often wrested her sorrow that her cousin's mind is "so flut- of the men. tered" with the new revelation. For her own Scripture to his purpose, but never before part, she has "never stumbled at any of the with such preposterous perversion and audadoctrines of the Church, because they all seem cious profaneness as that displayed by Joseph so pure." In condescension, however, for Smith and his disciples. One feels indigNelly's weakness, she proceeds to explain fully nant, not only at their hypocrisy, but at their the arguments which have led her to surren- folly, in expecting to persuade any one to acder the exclusive possession of "her John." quiesce in such palpable distortion of plain These are resisted by Nelly for some time. words. Thus from the promise that, whatsoShe cannot see "what wisdom" there is in ever a man shall leave for the Gospel's sake, being tied to her George with a lot of other he shall receive an hundred fold (Mark, x. 29.), women, who can flatter and simper, and make the Chancellor of the University of Deseret him believe anything they please." But at deduces the following question and answer :— last she also is convinced, and exclaims, "I am sorry I ever burnt that revelation! I would not have done it for the world if I had known as much as I do now." She cannot help, however, adding a proviso, "Well, if George does take any other, I should like him to take my sister Anne, for her temper is so obliging and mild."*

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forsake their rebellious and unbelieving wives in Q. What reward have men who have faith to order to obey the commandments of God?

A. AN HUNDRED FOLD OF WIVES in this

world, and eternal life in the next. (P. O. 16; see also Seer, 61.)

In the same treatise a carnal interpretation The arguments by which the Mormon writ- is given to the metaphor which designates the ers justify their adoption of these Oriental us- Church as "the Bride." But even these ages are principally drawn from the Old Tes- monstrous falsifications of Scripture are surtament. The pamphlet on Plurality of passed by the arguments which Mr. Hyde Wives," at the head of our article, informs us (the present chairman of the Apostolic Colthat the Latter Day Saints have restored "the lege) extracts from the Gospel narrative itself.* family order which God established with Abra-Yet, although the omission of these renders ham and the Patriarchs." (P. O. 1.) So we our picture of Mormonism incomplete, we rehave just seen that in their new marriage ser-ally dare not quote blasphemies so revolting; vice polygamy is designated as "the blessing especially when they are combined with abof Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." And the surdity at which the reader, even while he Mormon psalmist sings to the same tune- shuddered, must be provoked to smile.

Such profane distortion of the Sacred Writ

I am Zionward bound, where the blessings un-ings is the less excusable in the Mormonite
told,
Which Jehovah conferred on his servants of old,
And at which pious Christendom feels so annoyed,
In this last dispensation again are enjoyed.

(XV. 143.)

divines, because they have the power of fabricating new Scripture whenever they please. This power, indeed, they have freely exercised in defence of their harems. It has been revealed, that the measure of a man's "wealth, will depend upon the number of his wives, all power, and dominion" in the world to come of whom will continue to belong to him after the resurrection, if they have been sealed to

[Mormon] Guardian, and quoted by Mr. Gunnison, *See Orson Hyde's letter, published in the p. 68. The same blasphemies are repeated by Or son Pratt in Seer, 159, 169.

him by the President. Hence the term celes- | London," but also that the "haunts of vice" tial marriage, which they apply to this con- are constantly frequented by those who are nection. Moreover, the first wife, if submis- specially ordained to be the guardians of pubsive, will rank as Queen over all the other lic morality, by "parsons, and even bishops in concubines. In the tract above quoted Abby disguise." (XV. 244.) This foul and wideexplains this to Nelly as follows:

This contingent Queenship, however, will be subject to the husband's appointment, and the reversionary interest therein often creates rivalry in the establishment. Mr. Gunnison was informed at Salt Lake that Brigham Another argument much insisted on is the Young had a wife who died before she be- removal of an impediment which now hinders came a Mormon, but has since been saved by the conversion of polygamous heathen. This vicarious baptism, and that the first of his is illustrated by the following story, which we present wives frequently teazes her husband find constantly repeated in the "Mormon Aboby inquiring whether she herself or her pre-logies":decessor will be his Queen in the world to come. (G. 77.)

Besides the arguments above mentioned in favor of polygamy, derived from Revelation, others are deduced from reason and expediency. The chief of these is, that the Oriental system will remedy the immorality in which Europe is now sunk. So corrupt is society at present, especially in England, that not only are there "a hundred thousand prostitutes in

From the tone taken by the Mormon advo- | seat, they say it of right belongs to the gentlecates of polygamy, it would seem as if the man, and it is the duty and place of a man to practice must prevail among them extensively. lead the way, and let his fair partner enter tho For, otherwise, we cannot understand why room behind him. (G. 156.)

they should represent it to the poor in their He also speaks of polygamy as "the great popular tracts as a state so desirable, that a cause of disruption in families," and affirms man with only one wife must be precluded that the children are "the most lawless and from the higher degrees of happiness in the profane of all that have come under his oblife to come. Yet, on the other hand, it is servation." hard to conceive how any but the wealthier We have already spoken of the legal and members of the community can indulge in so political consequences which may probably expensive a luxury. However this may be, it arise from this custom. We may add that it is certain from the evidence of such credible can scarcely fail to contain the seeds of interwitnesses as Captain Stansbury and Lieuten- nal discontent. For the industrious inhabiant Gunnison, that the great officers of the tants of Utah must find out before long that Church maintain seraglios on a scale truly Ori- by the toil of their own sinews they are mainental. The latter informs us (p. 120.) that taining the sumptuous harems of their chiefs. the three members of the Presidency had, Nor is it possible that in a new colony the fewhen he was in Utah, no less than eighty-two male population can be sufficiently abundant wives between them, and that one of the three to allow this Eastern luxury to the powerful was called an old bachelor, because he had without compelling many of the poor to reonly a baker's dozen." And Captain Stans-main unwedded. Already, indeed, one of the bury describes the "numerous family" of the toasts at a recent public dinner in UtahPresident as mingling freely in the balls, "Wanted immediately more ladies!"—seems to parties, and other social amusements of the indicate dissatisfaction. place.

The delightful effects of this practice on the domestic felicity of Utah are thus described by one of the organs of Mormonism:

Each wife knows that the other wives are as much entitled to the attention of the husband as she herself; she knows that such attentions are not criminal, therefore she does not lose confidence in him; though she may consider him partial in some respects, yet she has the consolation to know that his attentions towards them are stricly virtuous. (Seer, i. 125.)

We cannot leave this part of our subject without mentioning that a graver charge than that of polygamy has been brought against the Mormon leaders. The depositions published by their opponents at Nauvoo accused them, not of openly adding to their domestic establishment, but of secretly corrupting female virtue, under the pretext of spiritual marriage. An affidavit made by one Martha Brotherton details very circumstantially an attempt made by Brigham Young to seduce her There is no particular rule as regards the resi- lieve her statement, because she explicitly under this pretence. We are inclined to bedence of the different branches of a family. It is very frequently the case that they all reside in refers to Joseph's "new revelation," which the same dwelling, and take hold unitedly with was at that time carefully concealed from all the greatest cheerfulness of the different branches but the initiated. Nor are there wanting intiof household or domestic business; cating at the mations in the documents already publishsame table, and kindly looking after each others' ed by the church that something more is bewelfare, while the greatest peace and harmony hind. Thus the first revelation on polygamy prevail year after year. Their children play and concludes with the following promise: "As associate together with the greatest affection as pertaining unto this law, verily I say unto brothers and sisters, while each mother apparently manifests as much kindness and tender regard for the you, I will reveal more unto you hereafter." children of the others as for her own. (Seer, i. 42.) (XV. 91.), "Ours is a progressive system, and (XV. 8.) And so we read in the "Star This last result of the system is so unquestionably miraculous, that it is almost sufficient of itself to convert an unbelieving world. Notwithstanding such evidence, however, the Gentile Gunnison presumes to speak unfavorably of the effects of this sacred ordinance. He thinks that it leads to the depression of women, and tells us that they are disrespectfully treated by the "saints," as an inferior order of beings:

we must progress with it, or be left behind. If you are found obedient to counsel, nothing will stumble you, neither spiritual wifeism, nor anything else."

Nevertheless, if such secret privileges are permitted to the Mormon chiefs, they must be used with extreme caution. Even the sacred character of an Apostle would hardly save him from the vengeance of an injured husband, accustomed to the summary proceedings of Lynchian jurisprudence. Last year a Mormon of the name of Egan was brought to trial for murdering the seducer of his wife, and (though admitting the fact) was acquitted

by a Utah jury. Nor, whatever may be the president leads off, and bishops, patriarchs, character of the leaders, can we hesitate to and elders are to be seen figuring enthusiastibelieve the almost unanimous testimony of cally, "not," says Colonel Kane, "in your travellers to the general morality of the population. Indeed, the laborious and successful industry which we have described could not characterize a debauched and licentious people.

We have dwelt at some length on the Mormon polygamy, not only on account of its intrinsic importance, but because its disclosure is so recent that previous writers have been unable to give accurate information on the subject. The ethical teaching of the sect is not distinguished by any other very remarkable peculiarity. The chief duty impressed . upon the saints is the punctual payment of their tithes. We can scarcely open a page of their official publications without finding strenuous exhortation to the fulfilment of that indispensable obligation. Next to this cardinal virtue, they seem to rate the merit of abstinence from fermented liquors and tobacco. This, however, is not absolutely insisted on, but only urged as a "precept of wisdom." It was enforced by Joseph, whose practice did not square with his precepts, as he was often drunk himself. But his sagacity perceived that the money squandered by his disciples on gin and cigars must be diverted from the treasury of the Church.

minutes or other mortuary processions of Gentiles, but in jigs and reels." When the temple is completed, these public dances are to form a part of the regular worship.

But the most remarkable feature in the practical working of Mormonism, considered as a Religion, is the almost entire absence of the devotional element. In the addresses of its teachers, we find no exhortation to the duties of private prayer, of self-examination, or of penitence. In their writings we can trace no aspirations after communion with God, after spirituality of mind, after purification of the affections. All is "of the earth, earthy." One of the ablest writers against Christianity has lately stated it as his chief objection to the Christian System, that it discourages the love of earthly things, and requires its votaries to set their affections on things above. He proposes to amend the precept of Saint John,

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, by simply leaving out the word not. Mormonism seems exactly to realize the ideal of this distinguished controversialist; and, as he does not mention it as one of the phases through which his faith has hitherto passed, we cannot The virtue of patriotism is also a frequent but hope that he may still find among the theme of Mormon eulogy. By publicly en- Latter Day Saints that resting-place which he joining it, they endeavor to refute the charges tells us that he vainly sought among the of treason so often brought against them by Craig-and-Mullerites.

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their enemies. Hence the anniversary of the This mundane character of Mormonism 4th of July (the birthday of American inde- faithfully perpetuates the type impressed on pendence) is celebrated with special jubilation it by its founder. Joseph Smith was a jolly in the city of Salt Lake, and the tree of liber- fellow," says one of his admirers, and not in ty is duly refreshed with torrents of rhetoric, the least methodistical. "His was a laughterand also with more material libations. The loving, cheerful religion," says Mr. Gunnison. official list of toasts given at one of the last of The General Epistles of the "Church" exthese festivities, shows that the citizens cling emplify the same peculiarity. The Gospel with equal attachment to the "domestic insti- which they proclaim consists of directions for tutions" of Virginia and of Deseret; for the emigration, instructions for the setting up of 12th toast is Slavery, and the 13th Polygamy.* machinery, she management of irou-works, The 15th, which we suppose, is meant to point the moral of the other two, is " THE GREAT NATIONAL MOTTO,-"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

the manufacture of nails, the spinning of cotton-yarn, and the breeding of stock. The same undevotional aspect is exhibited by their public worship, at least in Utah; for in Such festive meetings, which are very fre- Europe reserve is used, and their practice asquent, generally conclude with dancing, an similated to that of other sects. The service exercise, the practice of which must be also begins with instrumental music, the band perincluded in the ethical system of Mormonism. forming "anthems, marches, and waltzes; In saltatorial, as in military movements, the "which," says Mr. Gunnison eulogistically, priesthood occupy the foremost place. The "drives away all sombre feelings." An extempore prayer follows, which invokes bless

The 18th toast is printed as follows: "Poly-ings on the president, officers, and members Ticks and Poly-Gamy; a piece of wit which of the Church, and curses upon their enemies. seems to have been highly appreciated. (XIV. 566.) Then comes a discussion, in which any one With regard to slavery, it should be observed, that

according to Joseph's revelations, the negroes are may speak. This part of the service is usually of an inferior race, and that no person of color a conversation on local business, like that in can be admitted into the Church. (XIV. 472.) an English vestry meeting. The sermon fol

Millions shall know brother Joseph again.
(Ibid. 325.)

lows; but even that is not confined to relig-| Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, ious exhortation, but embraces such questions Earth must atone for the blood of that man; as the discipline of the Legion, the Califor- Wake up the world for the conflict of justice, nia gold-digging, and the politics of the Territory. The most curious specimen of these 'discourses which we have discovered is the following, which we take from the official report:

Elder George Smith was called upon to preach an iron sermon. He rose, and took into the stand [pulpit] one of the fire-irons, [the first productions of the Utah founderies.] Holding the same over his head, he cried out "Stereotype edition," and descended amid the cheers of the saints. The choir then sung the doxology, and the benediction was pronounced by Lorenzo Snow. (XV. 492.)

This kind of religious service would satisfy the aspirations of Mr. Carlyle himself, whose rather lengthy sermons on the text laborare est orare are thus condensed into pantomime by "Elder George Smith."

JOSEPH'S APOTHEOSIS.

THE DEEDS OF JOSEPH.

Who took the plates the angels showed?
And brought them from their dark abode ?
And made them plain by power of God?

The prophet Joseph Smith

Who did receive the power to raise
The Church of Christ in latter days?
And call on men to mend their ways?

The prophet Joseph Smith.

Who bore the scorn, the rage, the ire,
Of those who preach for filthy hire?
Was called by them impostor, liar?

The prophet Joseph Smith.
(XIV.304.)

We must not forget that the whole fabric which we have hitherto described, both docThe Mormon collection of hymns, which we have mentioned at the head of this Arti- trinal, ethical, and liturgical, might be changed cle, might lead to an impression of the relig-president of the Church. The only limitation at once by a new revelation uttered by the ion different from that which we have here to his power is the necessity of securing the given. But when we come to examine it, we find, in the first place, that it is published assent of his followers, which, though not thefor the English congregations; and, secondly, ble. Loss of popularity must of necessity oretically essential, is practically indispensathat nine-tenths of the hymns (including all which possess the slightest merit, devotional served the skill with which the Mormon hieentail dethronement. We have already obor poetical) are stolen from the collections in use among English Protestants, especially vice all the available talent of the sect, and rarchy is constructed, so as to enlist in its serfrom the Wesleyan hymn-book. The few thus to guard as far as possible against the original compositions which Mormonism has danger of rebellion. We need not recapituproduced are execrable, both in taste and late the long list of names by which its varifeeling. In addition to the samples which we have already given, we may add the follow-ous grades are designated. The quaintness of some of these give, at first sight, an air of ing:ridicule to the whole; but, however ludicrous the nomenclature, the organization itself is too skilful to be ridiculous. The supreme authority is nominally in "the Presidency," which consists of the President and his two Councillors. But, in reality, the First President is sole monarch, for his assessors, though they may remonstrate, have no power of resisting his decrees. The President himself, according to Smith's statement (XV. 13.) is, “ pointed by revelation," and acknowledged by the voice of the Church." But Brigham Young has modified this declaration, by announcing that, although constituted a Prophet by revelation, he holds the office of President by the choice of the people (XV. 488). And, in fact, a vote that he be sustained in his office is passed at every General Conference. It would seem, therefore, to be theoretically possible that the divinely-appointed "Seer, the Church. But the exact limits which deProphet, and Revelator," might be deposed by fine the powers of the President and Confer

(AIR - The sea! The sea! The open sea!)

He's free! He's free! The Prophet's free!
He is where he will ever be.

His home's in the sky; he dwells with the Gods;
Far from the furious rage of mobs.
He died, he died, for those he loved.
He reigns, he reigns, in the realms above.
(Hymns, 338.)

SAME SUBJECT.

Hail to the Prophet ascended to heaven,
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain;
Mingling with Gods he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Praise to his memory! he died as a martyr!

Honored and blest be his ever great name! Long shall his blood, which was shed by assas

sins,

Stain Illinois, while the earth lauds his fame.

ap