From the Camden (S. C.) Journal.

Who would not dig for Gold? -- The success attending the labour of some individuals and companies among the gold mines, has placed a general fever throughout the country, and not a few have expended their all, while a very small few have made it profitable, Strangers go into the gold region and are invited by every one to see his gold mine, and if good men may be credited, the owners of [some] "bait" their pits with dirt from other mines, so as to more readily sell their land for a large sum, which otherwise, is worth but a trifle. The poor and profligate hang around these places and get gold enough to starve their families; for the small grog shops established near all these mines pick up all the small earnings, Many are not satisfied with one defeat, but go from one place to another, high in the hope that a fortune will suddenly open to them; while others more prudent, soon become satisfied, and return to the good old way of digging gold with the plough and hoe...


Notes: (forthcoming)

From the Wayne co. Republican.

New Bible -- A fellow by the name of Joseph Smith, who resides in the upper part of Susquehanna county, has been, for the last two years we are told, employed in dictating, as he says, by inspiration, a new Bible. He pretended that he had been entrusted by God with a golden bible which had been always hidden from the world. Smith would put his face into a hat in which he had a white stone, and pretend to read from it, while his coadjutor transcribed. The book purports to give an account of the "ten tribes" and strange as it may seem, there are some who have full faith in his divine commission. The book, it seems is now published. We extract the following from the Rochester Republican.

BLASPHEMY. -- 'Book of Mormon' alias The Goldon Bible. -- The 'Book of Mormon' has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy, and credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The author and proprietor is one Joseph Smith, jr. a fellow who, by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a wealthy farmer of Wayne county, that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3000, which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of this blasphemous work. The volume consists of about 600 pages, and is divided into books of Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of Ether, and of Helaman. -- 'copy right secured.'


Notes: (forthcoming)

M A R R I E D.

In Batavia, on the 23d ult. by the Hon. Simeon Cummings, George W. Harris, Esq. to Mrs. Lucinda Morgan, widow of the late Capt. William Morgan, who was murdered by Freemasons under authority of the Lodge at Niagara on the 19th Sept. 1826.

(We copy the above at full length from the Rochester Anti-Masonic Inquirer. The anti-masonic editors are very particular in some cases.)


Notes: (forthcoming)

From the Ontario Messenger.

Book of Mormon. -- This book, other wise called the Golden Bible, has excited considerable curiosity, in some parts of the country; and we learn that preachers have appeared in the state of Ohio and elsewhere, who profess their belief that it is of divine origin. On Thursday evening last, a preacher of this character, delivered a discourse, at the Town House in this village, to an assembly of two or three hundred people. In the course of his remarks, he explicitly avowed his firm belief that the book of Mormon is a revelation from God; that he believed the golden plates on which [it] is said to have been inscribed in mysterious characters, had been discovered and decyphered by a very ignorant man, through the aid of divine assistance; and that he considered it as of equal authenticity with the Old and New Testaments. Whether these persons are really sincere in the profession of such belief, or whether their object is to promote the sale of the book, we will not undertake to determine.


Note: The above report was reprinted from a late Dec., 1830 issue of the Canandaigua Ontario Messenger. The Mormon preacher at Canandaigua, Ontario Co., NY was almost certainly the Rev. Sidney Rigdon, newly arrived from Mentor, Ohio, on a visit to Palmyra, Fayette, Colesville, and stopping points in between. At about this same time (Jan. 1, 1831), the Palmyra Wayne Sentinel speaks of "Rigdon dipt in many waters," who "Preaches Gold Bible to the loafers." This shows that Rigdon was preaching from the Book of Mormon in or near Palmyra by the last days of the year 1830. The Rochester Gem of Dec. 25th tells that, "In Canandaigua... there is a book of Mormon preacher, who is attempting to push his way forward, in spite of all opposition."

Book of Mormon. -- This book, otherwise called the Golden Bible, has excited considerable curiosity in some parts of the country; and we learn that preachers had appeared in the State of Ohio and elsewhere, who profess their belief that it is of divine origin. On Thursday evening last, a preacher of this character, delivered a discourse, at the town house in this village, to an assembly of two or three hundred people. In the course of his remarks, he explicitly showed his firm belief that the book of Mormon is a revelation from God. -- Ontario Messenger.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Fanaticism. -- Died, in Kirtland on Tuesday night last, Mr. Warner Doty, aged about 29 years. (view original article)   -- Painesville Telegraph.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Ithaca Journal states that a company of "golden bible pilgrims," consisting of about 100 men, women and children, passed through that place a few days since, on their way to the "land of promise" in Ohio,

---

A human skeleton, measuring nearly ten feet in length, was discovered in Mississippi, a short time since, by Mr. Benjamin Harding. -- "There were giants in the land in those days." -- Gen. xi. 4.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormon Emigration. -- About two hundred followers of Jo Smith's bible speculation, have arrived on our coast... (view original article)   -- Painesville Telegraph.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE GOLD BIBLE. -- We have hitherto given some accounts of this IMPOSITION. The press, has generally spoken of it, as it should speak in terms of reprobation or derision. It is but recently, however, that a demonstration has been had that a scheme carrying with it from the commencement, so many and so palpable evidence of imposition, a cheat so easily detected, and based upon entire fallacy and delusion, could gain credence, or obtain disciples. The fact that it has done, and continues doing so, furnishes an unfavorable commentary upon the intelligence of the age in which we live; an evidence that with all the lights of experience, and with all the facilities for investigating and embracing TRUTH, error has not yet lost its attractions -- delusion and bigotry retain a portion of their dominion. In a community, enlightened by education, and enjoying in an eminent degree, instruction from the pulpit and press -- with the precepts and principles of christianity widely disseminated, and faithfully administered -- a few fanatics impelled by ignorance and superstition, or designing speculators upon human credulity -- claim to have been selected as the medium of a new revelation from heaven! to be from time to time, favored, as was Moses, with direct interpretations of the Divine will! The story is probably familiar to most of our readers -- to some it may be new. Briefly it is as follows: -- The principal personage in this farce, is a certain Jo. Smith, an ignorant and nearly unlettered young man, living at or near the village of Palmyra; the second, an itinerant pamphlet pedlar, and occasionally a journeyman printer, named Oliver Cowdry; the third, Martin Harris, a respectable farmer, at Palmyra. Other less important actors, have been brought in, as the exigencies of the three first named required. About two years since, Smith pretended to have been directed, in a dream or vision, to a certain spot located between the village of Palmyra and Manchester. A slight excavation of the earth, enabled him to arrive at this new revelation, written in mysterious characters, upon gold plates. A pair of spectacles, of strange and peculiar construction, were found with the plates, to aid the optics of Jo. and his associates. Soon after, another very fortunate circumstance occurred. This was the introduction of no less a personage than Oliver Cowdry, to whom, and whom only, was given the ability -- with the aid of the spectacles -- to translate the mysterious characters -- All this arranged, but one thing was wanting to promulgate the new revelation -- money. Martin Harris was possessed of a valuable farm, acquired by industry and economy; in his religious sentiments, he was a credulous zealot. His credulity and his money, were too conspicuous to be overlooked by the modern apostles. In due time, a divine command came to Harris, through Jo, to devote his property, and all that was his, to the project. Harris' farm was mortgaged, and the printing of the Bible executed. It is a book of over [500] pages, and is entitled "Book of Mormon." Of the book, it is only necessary to say that it is a ridiculous imitation of the manner of the holy scriptures; and in many instances, a plagiarism upon their language. With all its glaring inconsistencies, it can hardly claim the poor merit of common ingenuity. The projectors of the scheme have attempted to make the discovery story, historically consistent. The surmise, or uncertain tradition, connected with the destruction of Babylon [sic - Jerusalem?], and dissemination of the Jews, is brought to their aid. As they would have it, a portion of the Jews, wandered to this continent, and by Divine command, deposited the "Book of Mormon," in the obscure spot, where the lucky stars of Jo Smith directed him.

We have given but the outlines of what we have understood the "GOLD BIBLE" imposition. -- We may have treated it with a degree of levity -- viewed as the wicked and corrupt scheme of its authors, it can certainly deserve no better treatment. As another dark spot in the catalogue of human weakness and infirmity, it excites a different sensation. It has no parallel in folly and stupidity, from the days of Johanna Southcote, to those of Jemima Wilkinson. In its character, or practical operations, it has no redeeming feature. It is with regret, however, that we are obliged to add, that it has not proved unsuccessful. There are now, probably, 1000 disciples of the Mormon creed! "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon." Their prophet Jo. has selected a spot in the state of Ohio, which he calls the promised land.

It is in and about the town of Kirtland, Geauga county. [Thither] the deluded followers of the false prophet are repairing. It is but a few days since, that an entire boat load of them passed this village, principally from the counties of Ontario and Wayne. Such as have property, convert it to a common stock, and thus create an inducement which is not overlooked by the idle and vicious. Families, in some instances, have been divided, and in others, mothers have been obliged to follow their deluded husbands, or adopt the disagreeable alternative, of parting with them, and their children.


Note 1: The headline for this Lockport Balance article remains undetermined. The primary source for the above text is a reprint published in the July 12, 1831 issue of the Hartford Connecticut Courant. The Oct. 10, 1832 issue of the Boston Recorder provides a shorter version of the same text. The Lockport Balance article was combined with another current report on the Mormons and printed in condensed form as "The Golden Bible Imposition" in the June 11, 1831 issue of the NYC Working Man's Advocate. See also the June 21, 1831 issue of the Daily Albany Argus. Major M. M. Noah took note of the dual article in the Daily Albany Argus, and copied it into his Morning Courier of June 25, 1831. The double article also appeared in the July 6, 1831 issue of the Washington, D.C. Daily National Intelligencer and in the July 16, 1831 issue of the Guernsey Times.

Note 2: The editor of the Lockport Balance was Orsamus Turner, who knew Oliver Cowdery personally. See his additional reports on Cowdery in his 1849 book, Pioneer History of the Holland Purchase, in his 1851 article, "Origin of the Mormon Imposture," and his 1851 book, History of Pioneer Settlement of Phelps... Turner's identification of Cowdery as "an itinerant pamphlet pedlar and occasionally a journeyman printer" agrees with Cleveland Herald Editor John St. John's description of Oliver: "On reading the name of Oliver Cowdry, in support of the divine authenticity of the work, whatever faith we might have been inspired with on reading the certificate, was banished, for we had known Cowdry some seven or eight years ago, when he was a dabbler in the art of Printing, and principally occupied in writing and printing pamphlets, with which, as a pedestrian Pedlar, he visited the towns and villages of western New York and Canada."

Note 3: The writers of the 2005 book, The Spalding Enigma, claim that pioneer editor and publisher B. Franklin Cowdery made use of Turner's press (at Lockport) to turn out pamphlets and other job printing, and that Franklin's second cousin Oliver Cowdery was his assistant in this work. For B. Franklin Cowdery's own remarks concerning his 1823 sojourn iat Lockport, and his professional relationship with Turner, see the pioneer editor's autobiographical sketches, as published in 1847.

Note 4: Editor Orsamus Turner credits Oliver Cowdery as having been the first authorized translator of the Book of Mormon, with the magic "spectacles" provided for his sole use in the work. This element of the story differs from other accounts, which postulate that Cowdery made use of a divining rod for some small portion of the "translation." At any rate, whatever method Cowdery might have employed in his translating effort, little came of it and Joseph Smith, Jr. soon appropriated the entire "translation" task to himself. If the magic spectacles were once entrusted only to Cowdery's use and keeping, Cowdery himself neglected to make mention of that alleged fact in later years, when he recounted the story of the golden plates. The assertion put forth in chapter 9 of the Spalding Enigma, saying that Turner wrote his "Origin of the Mormon Imposture" from "personal knowledge," is subject to an alternative explanation -- that he derived at least a portion of the unique information put forth in that historical sketch from second-hand sources, more or less closely connnected to the Joseph Smith, Sr. family. Turner's probable post-1831 acquisition of some of his Mormon origins details might account for their absence in his 1831 article, (though he admittedly calls his 1831 account "but the outlines of... the... imposition").

Note 5: For some remarks from Turner, mentioning his career as a newspaperman, see his editorial in the June 2, 1837 issue of the Lockport Niagara Democrat.

Mormon Emigration. -- About two hundred men, women and children, of the deluded followers of Jo Smith's Bible speculation have arrived on our coast during the last week, from the State of New York, & are about seating themselves down upon the "promised land" in this county. It is surely a melancholy comment upon human nature to see so many people at this enlightened age of the world, truckling along at the car of a miserable impostor, submitting themselves, both soul and body, to his spiritual and temporal mandates, without a murmur, or presuming to question that it is all a command direct from Heaven. Such an abject slavery of the mind may endure for a season; -- but in due time, like the chains of Popery, the links which bind them will be rent asunder, and reason resume again her empire.


Note: This article was reprinted from the May 17, 1831 issue of the Painesville Telegraph. The Buffalo papers sem to have taken no notice of the Mormons' passage through their city on the way to Ohio.

MORMONISM  ON  THE  WING.

After all the good followers of Jo. Smith from York state had got fairly settled down in this vicinity, which Rigdon had declared to be their "eternal inheritance," Jo must needs invent another "command from God." At a meeting of the tribe on the 3d. inst. the fact was made known to them that 28 elders must be selected and ordained, to start immediately, for Missouri. Jo accordingly asked the Lord in the assembly whom he should select, and the Lord named them over to him, as he made them believe. The ceremony of endowing them with miraculous gifts, or supernatural power, was then performed, and they were commanded to take up a line of march; preaching their gospel, (Jo's Bible) raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out devils, &c. This squad comprises Jo himself, Rigdon, Martin Harris, Gilbert, Morley, Murdock, Partridge, and all the other leading and influential men among them. The flock are to be left to shirk for themselves the best way they can. It is said they are about to commence an establishment some 500 miles up the Missouri, where they contemplate building the New Jerusalem, and they have expressed doubts whether few if any of them will ever return to this "land of promise"; but in due time a command will be sent for the remainder of their deluded and infatuated followers to move -- we opine however, that very few will obey the summons. The chosen few are to be off during the present week, going by pairs in different routes, all on foot, except Jo., Rigdon, and Harris, the contrivers and commanders of the expedition. -- Painesville (Ohio) Telegraph.


Note: This article was reprinted from the June 14, 1831 issue of the Painesville Telegraph.

Progress of Mormonism. -- The Editor of the Painesville, Ohio Gazette, says: -- Martin Harris, one of the original Mormon prophets, arrived in the village last Saturday, on his way to the "Holy Land." He says he has seen Jesus Christ, and that "he is the handsomest man he ever did see." He has also seen the Devil, whom he describes to be a very sleek haired fellow, with four feet, and a head like a jackass.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormonites. -- This infatuated people are again in motion... (view original article)   -- Painesville Gazette.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Conversion to Mormonism. -- The Oneida Register says that W. W. Phelps, late editor of the Ontario Phoenix, an anti-masonic paper, has embraced the Mormon faith, and has been ordained as an elder and commissioned to preach.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM.

It is certainly strange; yet nevertheless true, that this infatuated people, if we may place confidence in the reports of the newspapers, are becoming more numerous, and assuming a more formidable appearance.

We had hoped, that ere this the believers in the Book of Mormon would have been entirely extinct, and that no individual, however credulous, could be found so blind to reason and common judgment, as to permit himself to be carried away by the absurdities of the Mormon doctrine. The frailties incident to human nature have in all ages invariably shown themselves, either in remarkable lethergy, or an enthusiastic excitement, unsanctioned by reason or common sense. But the followers of the book of Mormon, if the accounts received be not inconceivably exaggerated, are amongst the most blind and deluded people we have upon record.

They believe that their leader is the real Jesus Christ, and that both he and his disciples have infinite powers to work miracles, raise the dead, cleanse lepers -- and they testify that he has cast out many devils -- that the millennium is nigh, and that Philadelphia is the place where Jesus Christ will meet his disciples and followers. They are now removing to the promised land -- some indefinite spot on the Mississippi -- some have gone and others are disposing of their property, often at an immense pecuniary sacrifice, that they may join their companions gone before. To such an enthusiastic pitch have they raised their imaginations, that the entreaties and persuasive arguments of friends have no weight whatever.

Their religious ceremonies and observances are forms of obsceneness and blasphemy, and are conducted in a manner shocking to the sense of rational creatures. In their excesses, unrestrained by the presence of the opposite sex, and in one assembly, they roll naked on the floor, and exhibit a variety of grotesque and unseemly forms, that humanity would blush to name, It is truly lamentable that such a state of things exists -- yet nevertheless these fanatics are daily receiving new accessions from New-York, Indiana, &c. -- Buck's Co. (Pa.) Int.

Remarks. -- While we are willing to admit that the disciples of Mormonism "are among the most blind and deluded people we have upon record," yet it is difficult to determine between them and the adherents of masonry, which are under the greatest delusion. The followers of Mormon believe their leader to be the real Jesus Christ, and that both he and themselves have infinite power to work miracles, &c. &c. Brother Boaz, and those who adhere to the Masonic Institution, believe that masonry is divine, the "hand maid of religion," and a sure passport to the "Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides." They also profess the magic "arte of wunderworkyng and of foresaying things to come" -- raising the dead on the "five points of fellowship," &c. &c.

The religious ceremonies of the lodge room, representing Moses and the busning bush, and drinking wine out of a human skull, is blasphemy; and we ask, of a "poor blind candidate," does not "exhibit a variety of grotesque and unseemly forms, which humanity would blush to name," when "in search after light." And yet, if we would believe Brother Boaz, new fanatics are daily added to the lodge in many parts of the Union.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MONEY DIGGING. -- The Bath Inquirer says -- We understand there passed through town yesterday, an old man, 'whose locks were silvered with age,' on his way to the mouth of the Kennebec, to dig for money, which he supposes to have been buried many years since. He supposes there are chests buried there containing 13,000,000 of doubloons -- one of which chests he has ascertained by his instruments to be 5 feet in length, 2 feet in width, and 1 1/2 feet deep. He has all necessary implements for finding and securing the fleeting treasure; the mineral rod, hazel sticks, crow-bars and bibles. We really hope he will succeed in obtaining this vast treasure, as he has promised a large sum of money to some of our citizens, for the advice with which they furnished him; and he has no doubt of it, provided he can vanquish the spirits that continually guard it, and break the charm that constantly surrounds it.


Note: All of the above sounds strangely familiar and the modern reader might be excused in wondering if "Father" Alvah Beaman (or one of his artful friends) might not have passed through the town of Bath that summer. Nothing is said here of seer-stones, so perhaps those wonderous locaters were by then beginning to go out of fashion among the treasure seekers of western New York.

The Mormon Delusion By information from the west, some are falling off, as well as others uniting with Joe Smith, the impostor from Palmyra. One who has recently left them, by the name of Ezra Booth, of Portage county, Ohio, is publishing in the Ohio Star an expose of their diabolical pretensions and impositions. They pretend an ability, as in ancient times, to speak with tongues; -- and that Smith is able to hold converse with celestial spirits whenever he pleases. One of them pretends to have received a commission to preach the gospel, directly from heaven, on a piece of parchment! another to have received his on the palm of his hand; and witnesses are found to attest to these lies. Visions are in great repute. One has seen the New Jerusalem, and passed through its apartments, &c. The ten tribes of Israel are locked up, they say, by the ice at the North Pole, where they enjoy the society of Elijah & John, & by and by the ice is to give way, and then they are to return to their own land. Such are some of their absurdities, which this young man is exposing. -- Utica Reg.


Notes: (forthcoming)