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Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, AUTHOR OF "PASTOR'S TESTIMONY," "GLIMPSES OF THE OLD WORLD," ETC., ETC.
Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, AUTHOR OF "PASTOR'S TESTIMONY," "GLIMPSES OF THE OLD WORLD," ETC., ETC.
"Let me now go to the field and glean ears of corn." Ruth , ii. 2. PHILADELPHIA: W. J. & J. K. SIMON. NEW YORK: ROBERT CARTER. 1842. Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1842, by John A. Clark , in the Clerk's Office of the District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PRINTED BY KING AND BAIRD....
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
When it was not so common, as now, to issue publications from the press, a book of any kind seldom made its appearance, without a preface , to give the reader some idea of its contents, and the history of its elaboration from the author's mind. But at the present day, when authorship is no longer the prerogative of the few, and the press teems with every species of literature, preface writing has quite fallen into desuetude; not improbably for the very solid and satisfactory reason that it would
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THE THREE GLEANERS.
THE THREE GLEANERS.
Nature has a voice to instruct, as well as charms to please. No one can walk over the surface of this earth, and gaze upon the objects and scenes that every where cluster around him, and not hear her instructive voice echoed upon his ear from ten thousand points, unless stupidity, or sin have sealed up his senses, and made him deaf as "the adder that stoppeth her ear, and will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely." Providence, too, has a voice, that speaks with trumpet-
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VIEWS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
VIEWS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Tour to Harrisburg—Aspect of the country—The Valley of the Susquehanna—The passage of the River—The Valley of the Juniata—Huntingdon—The Rev. John W. James—His sudden exit. The following twelve Chapters consist principally of extracts from the note book which the author kept, during a tour through the great Western Valley in 1837. On board the Canal Packet Swatara, Wednesday evening, June 14, 1837. I have never been more struck than to-day with the tranquilizing influence which the works of natu
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GLIMPSES OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
GLIMPSES OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
Source of the Juniata—Ascent of the Alleghanies—The summit—The Great Mississippi Valley—Skepticism—Rank growth of religious error—Dunkards—Valley of the Conemaugh—Moonlight—Singular conversation—Infidel sneers. Saturday morning, June 17, 1837. We reached Hollidaysburg, a little village on the Juniata, where the Alleghany Portage Rail Road commences, yesterday morning, June 16th, about eight o'clock. Our way from this point was up the mountain by successive inclined planes. I never saw more strik
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PITTSBURG AND ITS ENVIRONS.
PITTSBURG AND ITS ENVIRONS.
First view of Pittsburg—Its general aspect—Sabbath and its employments—An affecting incident—Orphan children—A Christian father in the midst of his children on the Sabbath. Saturday Evening, June 17. About nine o'clock this morning, we passed the Alleghany river just above the point where the Kiskiminetas falls into it; our course thence was along the banks. The scenery on either side of this river, like that of all the other rivers we have traced, is very interesting. Its waters seem clear and
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VOYAGE ON THE OHIO.
VOYAGE ON THE OHIO.
Travelling companions—Steamboats on the Ohio—The Elk—The Ohio river—The Harmonists—Steubenville—Wheeling—Marietta—Portsmouth—Kentucky—The dead steamboat captain—Kentucky funeral. On board the Elk, Monday Evening, June 19. I have two exceedingly agreeable travelling companions. The one, Mr. B——, who started with a special view of accompanying me in this tour. He is a young gentleman of mature intellect, accomplished education, and ardent piety. The other friend we fell in with on our way to Pitts
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A GLIMPSE OF KENTUCKY.
A GLIMPSE OF KENTUCKY.
Cincinnati—The Queen city—Views in reference to missionary labour—The kind of missionaries wanted in the great Valley—Walnut Hills—Lane Seminary—Dr. Beecher—Woodward College—Dr. Aydelott—The old Kentucky man—Louisville—The Galt House—View of the interior of Kentucky—Plantations—A sore evil—Kentuckian traits of character—A thrilling incident. Cincinnati, Friday Morning, June 23d, 1837. We reached this city, not inappropriately called "The Queen of the West," yesterday morning, and bid adieu to th
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THE OHIO NEAR ITS MOUTH.
THE OHIO NEAR ITS MOUTH.
New Albany—Sailing down the Ohio—Profanity—Lovely views of nature—A sudden squall on the river—Kentucky shore—Young fawn—The mouth of the Tennessee river—The swimming deer—His struggle and capture—Meeting of the waters of the Ohio with the Mississippi—Gambling—Intemperance—Sail up the Mississippi to St. Louis. New Albany, Indiana, Tuesday Morning, June 27, 1837. Indiana is unquestionably destined to become one of the most interesting of the Western States. Its principal towns that stand along on
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THE MISSISSIPPI AND SOME OF ITS TRIBUTARIES.
THE MISSISSIPPI AND SOME OF ITS TRIBUTARIES.
St. Louis—Roman cathedral—Desecration of the Sabbath—Golden sunsets—Sail up the Mississippi—The meeting of the waters of the Missouri and the Mississippi—Alton—The burning prairie. St. Louis, Tuesday Evening, July 4th. This, unquestionably is destined in time to become the great city of the west . Its location is pleasant, and from the manner in which the upper part of the city is now building, I should think it would ultimately compete in regularity and beauty with almost any city in the Union.
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FURTHER VIEWS ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
FURTHER VIEWS ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
Des Moines River—Iowa—Group of Indians—Tributary streams to the Mississippi—Galena—Bishop of Illinois—My sister's grave. Friday Evening, July 7th. Having passed the Des Moines river, the whole country bordering on the west bank of the Mississippi, is denominated the Wisconsin Territory, or more commonly here, the Iowa country . It is indeed a most beautiful country. It is said that a little more than four years since, there was not a single white settler west of the Mississippi and north of Des
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ILLINOIS AND THE LAKES.
ILLINOIS AND THE LAKES.
Lead mines—Indian treaty—Ride to Chicago—Vast prairies—The stricken family—Amusing Adventures—Chicago—Milwaukie—Mackinaw—Indian encampment. We spent one day during the present week in passing through the mining country to visit several of the diggings in Wisconsin, and around Galena, and also the smelting furnaces, where the mineral is extracted from the ore and cast into pigs. The country through which we passed was one continued series of rolling prairies. It was perfectly enchanting to see wh
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MICHIGAN.
MICHIGAN.
Steamboat travelling upon the western Lakes—The waters of Huron—Saginaw Bay—The stormy night—The beautiful St. Clair—Detroit—Bishop of Michigan—Ypsilanti—Ann Arbour—Ore Creek—Bewildered at night in the woods—Rescue—Meeting of friends—Log cabin. Detroit, July 23d. We parted with the friend we met at Mackinaw in the night. The two steamers rode off in two opposite directions. Our course, which from Chicago had been to the north, now became southward. There is something exceedingly novel in steambo
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TOUR FROM THE WEST.
TOUR FROM THE WEST.
The Romanists—Miracles—Indians—Captain M—— The unhappy sailor—Toledo—Cleveland—Buffalo—Niagara Falls. Detroit, Monday, July 31. The Roman Church has been supposed to be very strong here, but from inquiries that I every where made, I am still more confirmed in the belief that the papists at the west are making very little impression upon the Protestant population. While they are attempting much, and with sinuous effort endeavoring to identify themselves with every interest, they in fact as yet, w
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
WESTERN NEW YORK.
Niagara Falls—Rochester—Canandaigua—Geneva—Seneca Lake—The moonlit heavens—Departed friends—The clergyman's son—The candidate for the ministry—A beloved brother—My departed mother—Geneva College—The Sabbath. Geneva, Aug. 9th. Every man who has visited Niagara Falls, that scene of enchantment, remembers with what difficulty he tore himself from the spot. To every mind that has any sensibility—any relish for the grand and sublime, every island and grove, every stone and tree, every green bank and
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A JAUNT FROM PHILADELPHIA TO ALBANY.
A JAUNT FROM PHILADELPHIA TO ALBANY.
A bleak, dreary morning—Bishop of Illinois—Sail up the Delaware—New York Bay—Sail up the Hudson—Unexpected meeting—College friend—Story of his afflictions—Poor African servant. The sketches contained in the three following chapters were written in 1838. Fairfield, N. Y., Sep. 21, 1838. After having passed a day or two in the country, or gone along some two or three hundred miles by stages, steamboats, and railroad cars, in looking back upon the scenes through which you have passed, the company y
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THE IRISH COUPLE.
THE IRISH COUPLE.
Albany—The Irish mother—Incidents that occured five years ago—The disappointed emigrants—The Little Falls—Rural retirement. Fairfield, N. Y., Sept. 22. Our stopping place in Albany was at Congress Hall , which we reached some time before the sun sent his resplendent beams abroad: the morning was damp and hazy, and upon the whole every thing looked dull and gloomy around us. We were, however, occupying one of the most delightful positions in the place—our inn being located on one corner of the be
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
WESTERN NEW YORK.
Fairfield, N. Y., Oct. 1. Within the last week I have made an excursion into the central part of Western New York. I never fail, while travelling through this region, to be impressed with the conviction, that this is the garden of America! The soil itself has in every field you pass, and upon every hill-side and vale to which you turn your eye, ten thousand witnesses to attest its astonishing fertility. And then there are treasures beneath the soil more valuable than silver or gold, in the vast
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A SUMMER TOUR.
A SUMMER TOUR.
Retirement—Seneca Lake—Burlington, N. J.—Brooklyn, N. Y. The following chapters are made up of letters detailing incidents of travel connected with a tour from Philadelphia to Rhode Island, and from thence into Western New York, during the summer of 1840. Seneca, July 22. Although nearly five weeks have elapsed since I left Philadelphia, I have not, till the present time, had an opportunity of redeeming my promise in giving you the sketches I promised. I am now enjoying what I have been sighing
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GREEN WOOD CEMETERY.
GREEN WOOD CEMETERY.
Brooklyn—Improvements—Ride—Approach to the Cemetery—Views—Beautiful scenes. Seneca, July 29th. In my last I conducted you on my journey as far as Brooklyn, N. Y. My temporary stay there was at South Brooklyn, a portion of that enterprising town which has been but recently built up. Scarcely any thing during my tour has more astonished me than the wonderful growth of this place. From a little rural village, it has grown up, in a few years, to a city, which, though it cannot pretend to rival the m
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RHODE ISLAND.
RHODE ISLAND.
Sail up the Sound—Burning of the Lexington—Providence—Meeting of old friends—Mr. Emerson—Transcendentalism—Westerly. Seneca, August 1. In my last I was principally occupied in giving you some account of the picturesque grounds of Green Wood Cemetery. It was on Tuesday afternoon, the thirtieth of June, at five o'clock, that we started in the well-built and beautiful steamer Massachusetts , on our way upon an excursion to Rhode Island. The scenery along the East River and up the Sound presents evi
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THE SUDDEN STORM.
THE SUDDEN STORM.
Rapid travelling—Auburn—Stage coach—Seneca Lake—Summer's sultry heat—Sudden change—Fierce tempest—Imminent peril. Seneca, August 6th. In our journey to this place, we had a practical illustration of the increased facilities and greatly accelerated movements of modern travelling. Having left New York on Wednesday evening, the fifteenth of July, at five o'clock, we found ourselves the next evening, before nine o'clock, at Auburn—a distance but little short of three hundred and fifty miles, which w
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REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.
REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.
Sunday—Sacred worship—The sanctuary recalling youthful scenes—Early plighted vows at the table of the Lord—Retrospect—Mournful reflections—Change in the congregation—Mr. and Mrs. N—— The C——family—Col. T—— Village burial ground—C——The buried pastor—My mother—Palmyra—Early ministerial labours—Lyons. Fairfield, Aug. 15th. In these Gleanings by the Way , I have very little plan or method, but send you just what happens to interest me most at the time. Perhaps there are no two places that we visit,
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THE ORIGIN OF THE MORMON DELUSION.
THE ORIGIN OF THE MORMON DELUSION.
The golden Bible—Moral, political, and numercial importance of the Mormon sect—Views of Revelation—Causes that have contributed to spread Mormonism—Martin Harris—Interview with the author—Transcripts from the golden Bible—Jo Smith, the Mormon prophet—His early history—First pretended revelation—His marriage—Chest containing the golden Bible—Attempts to disinter it—Consequence—Delusion of Harris—Translation and publication of the Book of Mormon . The sketch that follows, detailing some facts conn
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A LETTER WRITTEN BY PROFESSOR ANTHON.
A LETTER WRITTEN BY PROFESSOR ANTHON.
The circumstances that led to this letter—Martin Harris—His visit to New York—Interview with Dr. Mitchell—Professor Anthon. A few months subsequent to the publishing of the foregoing letter, the author saw in the columns of the Church Record a letter from Professor Anthon which singularly corroborated the statement that Martin Harris made to him in relation to his having had an interview with that gentleman, when on his first mission to New York in quest of some interpreter who should be able to
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THE MORMON, OR GOLDEN BIBLE.
THE MORMON, OR GOLDEN BIBLE.
The origin of the Book of Mormon—The statement of Mr. Isaac Hall, father in law of the Mormon Prophet—Rev. Mr. Spaulding's Historical Romance—Mrs. Davison's statement—The blindness of Martin Harris—Testimony of the three witnesses—The eight witnesses. The communication which follows is the second in the series of letters referred to in a former chapter. Fairfield, August 31, 1840. According to the intimation given in my last, I proceed to furnish you with some further facts in relation to the or
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MORMON JESUITISM.
MORMON JESUITISM.
Denial of Mrs. Davison's statement in reference to the origin of the Mormon's Bible—The truth of her statement corroborated by a letter from the Rev. John Storrs—By another from the Rev. D. R. Austin. Up to the period, in which the preceding sketch was published in the columns of the Episcopal Recorder, no attempt was made, as far as our information extends, to contradict the statement of Mrs. Davison, or in any way to invalidate her testimony. Shortly after the appearance of the sketch above re
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ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.
ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.
According to the intimation given in the last chapter, we proceed to furnish our readers with a brief outline of the contents of that mysterious volume whose origin and history we have already given, and which, as we have seen, has exerted no small influence in imparting a degree of plausibility to the claims set up by this sect, and in gaining for them among the superstitious and the credulous, hosts of converts. I have before me a copy of the Book of Mormon , which I have read through in order
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ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON CONTINUED.
ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON CONTINUED.
The question has been frequently asked, why the sect whose history we have been attempting to sketch, are called Mormons? The answer to this question will be readily suggested to any one who has patience to wade through Mr. Spaulding's historical romance. From the account that we have already given of the Book of Mormon we are led to see the mode by which it is pretended that the records of one generation of the Nephites were transmitted to another, and how the history of each preceding age was
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FARTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN RELATION TO THE MORMON IMPOSTURE.
FARTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN RELATION TO THE MORMON IMPOSTURE.
Since preparing the preceding chapters for the press, there have come into the author's hands several documents, that seem to throw additional light upon the origin and authorship of the Book of Mormon. These documents consist of statements made by Mr. John Spalding, now residing in Crawford county, Pa., the brother of Rev. Mr. Spalding—by Mrs. Martha Spalding, the wife of Mr. John Spalding—by four gentlemen, residing in Conneaut, Ashtabula county, Ohio, the very spot where Mr. Spalding's histor
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ORGANIZATION OF THE MORMONS, AND THEIR REMOVAL TO OHIO.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MORMONS, AND THEIR REMOVAL TO OHIO.
Steps leading to the Mormon emigration to the West—Conversion of Parley P. Pratt—Mission to the Lamanites—Sidney Rigdon—His avowed conversion—Fanatic scenes at Kirtland—Dr. Rosa's letter—Mr. Howe's statement—Smith's removal. Jo Smith, who aspired to the high character of a prophet of God, was far more successful in gathering early disciples than Mahomet. His own family, and numerous coadjutors, being in the secret with himself, and hoping to build up their fortunes by this scheme, became very ze
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MORMON EMIGRATION TO MISSOURI.
MORMON EMIGRATION TO MISSOURI.
Mission to Missouri—Cause that led to emigration—Settlement at Independence—Change in operations—Gift of tongues—Rule for speaking and interpreting. Cowdery and those connected with his mission, after having made the converts we have noticed at Kirtland in the autumn of 1830, proceeded on still farther to the west, in order to convert the Indians. They at length set down in the western part of Missouri. The following extract from the volume already referred to, will explain the cause that led th
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MORMON BANKING.
MORMON BANKING.
The prophet's attempt at financiering—Mr. Smalling's letter. Allusion has been made to the attempts at financiering in which the Mormon prophet and his coadjutors embarked, before leaving Kirtland. The facts connected with this are presented in a clear light by Mr. Smalling, of Kirtland, in a letter addressed to Mr. Lee, of Frankford, Pa. An effort having been made at that village to establish a Mormon society, the Mormon preacher at the close of his lecture invited any one, who chose, to ask qu
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THE MORMON PROPHET AND HIS THREE WITNESSES.
THE MORMON PROPHET AND HIS THREE WITNESSES.
An interesting public document—The Danite band—Testimony of Dr. Avard—Paper drafted by Rigdon. We insert the following communications, published in a most highly respectable religious journal. Mr. Editor : A rare public document of a most interesting character having fallen into my hands, I propose to furnish you several communications in reference to it, and likewise in relation to the people to whom it relates. The Mormons have been generally regarded as a harmless sect of deluded fanatics, un
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CONCLUDING SKETCH IN RELATION TO MORMONISM.
CONCLUDING SKETCH IN RELATION TO MORMONISM.
The following letter is the last in the series, originally written for the columns of the Episcopal Recorder. Although I have occupied your attention so long with the history of the origin and rise of Mormonism, I have a few words more to add before closing the subject. Several facts which have come to my knowledge, since commencing these sketches, lead me to apprehend, that the developments we have been attempting to make are not ill-timed. Is there any one who would have formed so low an estim
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