manifested an honesty and a devotion to their creed which evoke our sympathy, and no small meed of our admiration. Yet lucky, indeed, was it for the world, that the teachings of a higher law and of a greater Master were committed to the keeping of a far richer and purer tongue than the hybrid Aramaic, with its doubtful etymologies, its meagerness of expression, and its misty veil of tradition spread before even the Sun of righteousness himself.

ARTICLE IX.

A STUDY OF MORMONISM.

BY THE REVEREND George R. Lunn.

I. RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.

IT is not the purpose of this article to give any detailed account of the origin and development of Mormonism, only so far as it will shed light on our adequate understanding of the peculiar doctrines. Religion with the Mormons is not a thing apart, but extends its sway to every other phase of their life; so that a complete appreciation of their faith is impossible unless some attention be given to the practical results as witnessed in the social, economic, and political conditions as they exist to-day. This article, therefore, will seek to give (1) a very brief historical statement; (2) a detailed treatment of the various doctrines of the church; and (3) trace the practical results, in life, of this strange sect.

Mormonism presents the aspect of medieval centralization of power, both spiritual and temporal, in the hands of a well-organized ecclesiastical hierarchy. Such an hierarchy, with its clearly defined prerogatives, could hardly have found acceptance among any considerable number of people and continue to mold their lives, without some basis of accredited authority. That authority is found in their divinely inspired books, chief of which are the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The Bible is necessarily subordinate, since its translation contains many errors; whereas the claims made for the Book of Mormon affirm it to be a divinely inspired record made by the prophets of the an

cient peoples who inhabited the American continent for centuries before and immediately after the time of Christ; which record has been divinely translated, in the present generation, through the gift of God and by his special appointment. The authorized and inspired translator of these sacred scriptures, through whose instrumentality they have been given to the world in modern language, is Joseph Smith, the founder and greatest prophet of the Mormon people.

The Book of Mormon is a compilation of traditions, myths, and Israelitish history, with extensive biblical quotations. It purports to give the history of the remnant of Israel, beginning with the exodus of the family of Jared after the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel. This Jared with his family was specially favored of the Lord, being directed to seek a new country, wherein rich blessing and great prosperity would be found. By divine direction he left his native land, and after many perilous days at sea finally landed on the coast of Lower California. In the course of time this family grew to be a powerful nation, known as the Jaredites, establishing a civilization throughout Central America. They finally suffered total extinction, because of war and general degeneration.

About 600 B.C., the family of Lehi was called upon by the Lord God to leave Jerusalem, which was soon to be destroyed, and found a new home in a strange land. After careful preparation they embarked upon an unknown sea; but by God's special care and protection they succeeded, after many thrilling adventures, in landing upon the coast of South America. Here it was that Lehi's two sons, Nephi and Laman, became the founders of two mighty nations: the Nephites overrunning North America, and the Lamanites settling in South America. These two tribes developed a high order of civilization, having extensive cities, magnificent temples, etc.

The Lamanites, because of their disobedience to God, soon degenerated, and, as punishment, their skin was changed from white to black. They were constantly at war with their more prosperous brethren. A final great battle was fought at Cumora Hill, near what is now Palmyra, New York, about 420 A.D. The Nephites were almost exterminated. Two important personages, however, survived-Mormon and his son Moroni. The historic records and prophecies of the Nephites, having been inscribed on gold plates, were in the possession of Mormon. Prior to his death he instructed his son to make certain additions and then bury the plates in the Hill of Cumora. The father's command was obeycd, and the sacred writings were buried, to remain unmolested for the space of fourteen hundred years. The Lamanites continued to possess the Northern land, their progeny being known as the American Indian.

On the 21st day of September, 1823, Joseph Smith received, in answer to fervent prayer, a visitation from an angelic personage, who proved to be the ancient prophet Moroni, by whom the sacred records had been closed and deposited in the earth. Smith was called upon to serve as God's prophet to restore the divine writings to the people. Though an ignorant man, yet, by the aid of the divine messenger, he was enabled to complete a perfect translation of these ancient plates, giving it the name "Book of Mormon."

The translation was finished in 1830, and during the same year he founded his church, which was called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." It had its beginning at Fayette, N. Y., with a membership of six.1 They believed themselves called upon to establish God's true church in America, where Christ was to reign. From 1 For a fuller discussion of the early history, see article "Mormonism," by Dr. Delavan L. Leonard, Bibliotheca Sacra, January, 1885, pp. 1–40.

the first they sent out missionaries, and within a short time their numbers became considerable. Though exposed to continual ridicule and hostility, their little band was gradually enlarged. Persecutions soon multiplied, and the new sect was forced to migrate from one place to another.

In the autumn of 1831 a successful work was inaugurated at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. Within a very short time nearly twelve hundred people gathered in this place, where they believed Christ would shortly reign in person. "Land was largely bought; preaching was vigorously carried on; a printing-press was established; a monthly periodical and a weekly newspaper were started to propagate the doctrines of the new sect; and it is only fair to the Mormons to state, that a spirit of industry, sobriety, order, and cleanliness was everywhere visible. Account for it how we may, the Mormons were in many important respects, morally, socially, and industrially, far in advance of their neighbors."

But from Missouri they were driven by reason of great and bitter persecution, and after intense suffering they reached Illinois in April, 1839, numbering at this time fifteen thousand souls. The surrounding people treated the new-comers very kindly, giving them a grant of land on the east bank of the Mississippi River, forty miles above Quincy, and twenty miles below Burlington, Iowa. Here they established themselves a new home, which, in obedience to a revelation given to Smith, was called Nauvoo, or the "City of Beauty." The country was a mere wilderness when the Mormons settled in it; but, in less than two years after the foundation of the first house was laid, there were over two thousand dwellings, together with schoolhouses, public edifices, besides other evidences manifesting the great prosperity of their body.

All went well until the public was informed that Joseph