water was afterwards attempted, but failed, because some fellows were profane enough to take from under the water the benches that Smith had fixed for the better success of the performance. Pronouncing a very divinely authorized, and somewhat serious malediction against the old locality, he moved further up the creek, for the exhibitions yet in reserve. So, by way of testing the virtues of the new location, he gave exclusive invitations to a few, to see water turned into wine, and vice versa, but somehow or other, the jugs were accidentally changed, and the remaining miracles were postponed, to a more convenient season, so that he could have some definite understanding in the course of his next revelation, as to how such things were to be done. He has finally concluded, that the power to work miracles is a non-essential as far as regards the truth of the brazen bible, and the Mormon faith in general.

Soon after these proeedings had taken place, several difficulties arose between the Mormons and other citizens of the State, which, in the end, became so serious, that the militia were marched up to settle the growing mischief. Some shots were exchanged without much serious damage, and the “Latter Day Saints," as they now term themselves, were routed "horse, foot, and dragoons." Whereupon our afflicted and accidentally spared apostle, without the chance of establishing a bank, shook the dust of the State of Missouri from his feet, which led the retreat at the engagement, and ordered Missouri and all her people to be cursed, not even reserving Mount Zion in Jackson County from its rateable share in the rigors of the anathema. With his valiant followers, nervous with wrath, he moved into Illinois, and built up another town, with the more modest and more original name of Nauvoo, the precise derivation of which, and the reason for the particular application of it, in the present instance, he deems not politic to disclose, in the existing heretical state of the world. The faith is recruiting again, and weekly adding to its numbers; and, in view of the want of means among many in that region, it would be strange indeed if the fact were not so,-for the principle of right and possession among them is, that all property, real and personal, is to be held in common, and the united proceeds of their barter and labor is to be divided periodically, and in equal dividends, among the whole, whether all origin

ally brought any capital into the concern or not. None can fail to see the finger of policy in a system so well calculated to procure an increase of membership. But to prevent the elopement of some sly brother when the yearly dividends are declared, Smith has wisely managed to require that the funds be not handed over to the people, but that they become a deposit to their credit in the treasury house,-parts of which can be drawn out by a correct statement of the particular purposes for which it is needed, but in quantities so exceedingly small, as to offer less inducement to abscond with the pittance, and forfeit the remainder, than to stay and secure it. All articles of merchandise are required to be bought from the regularly licensed dealers, and the system of license, being one altogether of favoritism, it might be supposed that a large profit would be made by the salesmen, but it must be remembered, that the resulting profits are thrown into the common fund, and the original capital again employed in the purchase of a new stock in trade; while favoritism is only shown and sought after, because the post of a merchant is deemed one of honor, and relieves those who are fortunate enough to secure it from the drudgery of the field and workshop.

The church government is under just such a management as one would naturally expect from the cunning character of the inspired founder. All power from above coming through him, as a channel of mediation and forgivaness ⚫to a certain extent, as well as of exclusive official appointment, he bestows his ministerial and judicial offices, which are not subject to the ordeal of confirmation, as he may deem proper for his purposes. As he is the highest visible authority in the matter, there can be no appeal from such appointments, decisions, orders and prohibitions between persons, as he may make from time to time,-neither from such convenient interpretations as he may put, at pleasure, upon the passages and requirements of the brazen bible. If his assertion upon any point be questioned, (for he never stoops to vulgar argument), he can quickly set the matter at rest, by whispering an allusion to some recent revelation that he has had upon that very subject, and after this is hinted, all doubt must necessarily cease, for if yet harbored by the continued obstinacy of the rebellious declaimer, his VOL. I.-NO. 2.

14

excommunication from the grace of the church, and the droppings of that better sanctuary, the treasury, is as sure as his existence. As this act of excommunication is a very solemn one, and performed by Smith himself, in propria persona, who is supposed in all respects infallible, no hope of re-admission can ever dawn upon the excluded saint, for this would admit the occasional fallibility of the excommunicating party, the high priest. Of the prerogative of exclusion, and the summary reasons of its exercise, they are all fully aware, and if the founder is known to have any fixed opinions upon any possible subject, an universal acquiesence upon the part of the people is dictated for the security of a continued communion. From time to time, new additions are made to the doctrines of the brazen bible, although the system was declared complete when the book was first found; yet accumulation is safe, even to infinity, inasmuch as no prohibitory curse is denounced in it, against adding any thing thereto. Certain doctrines, recently revealed, were foretold by our prophet in advance, but one of the peculiar beauties of this system, pertaining to no other, is, that not unfrequently the fulfilment precedes the prophecy. Its author certainly possesses miraculous power in the affairs of divination, in all those cases, in which the first intimation of the augury is subsequent to the fulfilment, instead of the more consecutive plan of record first and occurrence afterwards. When discharging the duties of the prophetic office, he frequently announces that such and such things will come to pass, and he is almost invariably right, for the events could not well happen otherwise, unless something went wrong in the ordinary course of nature, and yet, in these cases, he argues divine interference, -probably upon the ground that nothing under heaven could happen at all without it. In the event of the failure of any prophecy, (which, by the by, is not unusual, when he leaps beyond the rules of natural philosophy) and some one watchful of the prediction reminds him of the short-coming, he has an ample refuge in suggesting the high probability of a misunderstanding either between himself and the angel, or else between himself and the people. And yet the occurrence of any thing, however usual, if only foretold, is regarded with a degree of amazement commensurate with the imposing forms and ceremonies of prediction.

Everv new applicant for admission, is subjected to prescribed initiation, attended with an ample share of attractive formality, instigated by a shrewd knowledge of the value of first impressions. To avail themselves of all applications, nothing is said or done, but what might invite the assent of the subject applying. None were ever known to be rejected, as each applicant has the privilege of recommending himself, and should he, unfortunately, have any compunctions upon that point, he is privileged to keep silent; and if any of the saints are aware of his failings, the mention of them would be entirely superfluous, in as much as the fact of the application is construed as the result of a satisfactory penitence. This accomodating arrangement, renders the approach of all applicants smooth and easy, the whole of them protesting that nothing but a thorough and heartfelt conviction of the entire truth of Mormonism ever prompted them to apply, and among the questions of faith, propounded to the disinterested converts, fortunately for the conscience, none are broached, as touching their faith in regard to the present state of the treasury. The most popular time for applications appears to be, just anterior to the period adopted, by established custom, for the distribution of the annual dividends.

Some short time since, the governor of Missouri made a requisition upon the executive of Illinois, for the surrender of Smith, to answer for some of his unatoned old scores, but, from some informality in the process of requisition, the matter was delayed, until the error could be adjusted. In the mean time, Šmith got news of the affair, and, thinking a compliance with the demand highly probable, received, about the same time, a divine intimation that he must depart immediately for Iowa, to receive a new revelation from an angel, there in patient waiting. Without delaying for the return mail from Missouri, he started, and, by a happy coincidence, the revelation was concluded simultaneously with a hint from some one in Iowa, that the affair of the requisition would be dropped for the present. No doubt, an adjourned meeting between himself and the angel will be held in Iowa, about the time the governor renews his application.

Smith is in bad repute all over that region. Like the Arab, "his hand is against every man, and every man's

against him." From the beginning until now, the only object he has had in view, has been, to secure, by his present station, that prominence, regard and authority, which he has not sufficient force of character or talent to secure, under any other circumstances. Nature has endowed him well with art and cunning, which years of duplicity and experience have strengthened, in the prosecution of his ends and purposes. His natural bent of mind is ambitious; though his spirit is timid, and yet he never deserts a favorite point or adventure, unless the opposition is likely to prove serious. Wherever he has been located before, for the furtherance of his designs, some untoward circumstance has intervened for his temporary failure. The germs of disruption are budding among his people now. The numbers are becoming so great, that, from the necessities of the case, new offices must be created, the respective powers of which must abridge and conflict with his own. This cannot occur without instant danger, and when difficulty once commences, anarchy must finish the work. Of this, he is already aware; and the only remedy for prevention, is to close the door upon a further increase of his followers. Yet this he dares not do, for he has declared that his religion will one day be universal, and the act would defeat the hopes of his ambitious spirit.

That his efforts can establish a faith so foolish, none but his interested enthusiasts believe; that another relapse is near, is known from the nature of the work. Ambition has drawn some to its adoption, who may have calculated too indiscreetly on its spread; novelty has given it many followers, who hoped to find, in its shifting forms, that food for the wonderful, furnished by no other church; selfishness has sent up its votaries, to feed and fatten on the hard-earned means that others may have brought, and which, by an act of legalized robbery, have become part and parcel of a common stock. Fanaticism like this, if indeed, any of its followers be sincere, can only be excused by the rebuking appeal it carries to the enthusiasm and folly of every age. Greece had her mythology and Pantheon, the islands, the shrines of Neptune; Arabia worshipped the voices that were fancied in the wind; and Persia fell down to the chariot of the sun. But religion had not dawned in those days of false worship and folly. If to the