possessor as the founder of a new and spreading superstition or political system-if these do not make an illustrious, they make a remarkable, man. Whatever combination of circumstances favoured the individual whose assumptions have startled the pride and excited the scorn of the nineteenth century, there is yet a degree of interest associated with his life; and if his errrors are still infecting any section of society, to point out their origin may weaken their influence. We have therefore ventured to chronicle his story.

JOSEPH SMITH was born December 23, 1805, in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont. Many marvellous events had occurred in connection with his immediate ancestors. So, at least, we are taught to believe in a work just published "for the candid perusal of all nations," though amongst the uninitiated and "profane" they were far more notable for their bad character. When ten years old, he removed with his parents to Palmyra, New York, in the neighbourhood of which he remained till the boy became a man. An attack of severe sickness, borne with exemplary fortitude, was the only thing which disturbed the tranquillity of his early childhood. As soon as he was able, he began to assist his father on his farm. His advantages were few, and his education exceedingly defective. He could read, but not well; his best essays in penmanship were imperfect; and even the elementary rules of arithmetic were mysteries not easily fathomed, if at all. The golden treasures of knowledge might make rich and powerful, but they were scattered in regions by him untrodden and undiscovered; yet his mind was active-it observed and reflected. Religious feelings, it is said, were early developed. When about fourteen years of age, his favourite subjects of contemplation were the future state of being and his own possible relation to it. How could he best prepare himself for that eternity which stretched in boundless view before him? This was the grand question of his youth. He looked abroad, but there diversities of opinion prevailed, and his ignorance incapacitated him for judging between them. Excited yet perplexed, he turned to his Bible, and there read, "If any of you

lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth unto all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.” The promise was sufficient; it excited hope, and as he realised its depth of meaning, aspirations began to glow, and he resolved to test its truth.

It is evident that in writing thus, his own asseverations and those of his friends can be our only authority till we have launched him fairly on his public career. In his autobiography he has described at length the circumstances that affected him at this period. The reader will not be long in judging whether his statements are the transcript of an enthusiast who unconsciously invested facts with the colouring of his imagination, or the cunningly-concocted after-thoughts of a knave, endeavouring to impress mankind with the divinity of the mission he professed.

The account runs, that, having determined" to ask of God," he retired to a wood to make the attempt. It was the morning of a clear and beautiful day in 1820, and the spring had just clothed the surrounding scenery with its refreshing hues. Joseph had never yet, amidst all his anxieties, given utterance to his feelings in prayer; and now he knelt down, alone with his Maker, the blue sky peering through the canopying forest boughs. Scarcely had his lips begun to move, when the power of expression appeared entirely lost. Darkness gathered about him, and sudden destruction threatened to be his doom. Was it that conscience, whispering of eternal justice, had quenched the light of mercy by its sin-portraying revela tions? He believed in the presence and power of some actual being from the unseen world, and, rousing every energy, called aloud to Heaven for deliverance from his foe. Immediately he saw exactly over his head a pillar of light, surpassing the sun in brilliance. It descended gradually upon him, not in fiery wrath but in heavenly glory. The fetters that had bound his soul fell off; his enemy was gone. Like the apostles on the mount of transfiguration, he stood wrapped in unearthly splendour. Above him, in the air, he beheld two personages clad with ineffable effulgence. One of them, calling him by name, pointed to the other and said, "This is my beloved Son, hear him." * Joseph Smith the Prophet, and his Pro-Joseph, thus encouraged, as soon as he genitors. By Lucy Smith, Mother of the Proregained his self-possession, recollected

phet.

his especial design in coming to pray, and enquired of his celestial visitants, which of all religious sects was right, and which he should join. The answer was, that he should join none, for they were all wrong, that their creeds were an abomination and their professors corrupt. Many other things were communicated; and when the dazzling vision passed away, the youthful seer found himself stretched on his back, looking up into heaven.

It was not long before Joseph mentioned these things to some who were interested in the excitement then generally prevailing respecting divine truth. As might have been expected, he met with ridicule and opposition.

and use of these stones constituted seers in ancient times; and that God had prepared them for his assistance in translating the book. After giving him many instructions concerning things past and to come, the angel withdrew, but while his auditor lay musing on the singularity of the scene he had witnessed, and the words he had heard, he again appeared, and without the least variation repeated his former message, adding in conclusion, a description of judgments which were hanging over the earth, and of desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence, that that generation should see. Again the brilliance of heaven was succeeded by the darkness of night; but a third time was Nothing of importance occurred from the gloom dispersed by the sudden dethis time till the 21st of September, scent of Nephi, who once more reca1823, on the evening of which day he pitulated his instructions, and then relates, that, in answer to prayer, he ended with additional cautions to prubeheld another manifestation of super- dence and watchfulness. The next natural glory. His room was filled with day, while Joseph was in the fields, more than noon-day radiance. Beside the same messenger re-appeared, and his bed there stood a personage, whose commanded him to inform his father countenance was as lightning, and his of all that had passed. He complied garment exquisitely white and without with the injunction, found encourageseam. He seems to have minutely ob- ment in his views, and soon after reserved the peculiarities of his dress :- paired to the spot where the plates were His hands were naked, and his arms deposited. also, a little above the wrist; so also were his feet naked, as were his legs a little above the ancles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom." This angelic messenger, whose name was Nephi, informed him that he was an instrument of God, chosen for the accomplishment of great purposes; that the covenant his presence, and the opened heavens with ancient Israel concerning their posterity, was about to be fulfilled; that the work preparatory to Christ's second coming and millennial reign was now to commence; that there were many hidden revelations and prophecies, which should be made known for the furtherance of these designs; and that he should be permitted to place the sacred records containing them before the world. The American Indians, he was told, were a remnant of Israel; and that their history was fully detailed in a book deposited beneath the ground, and written on gold plates; that with it there were two stones in silver bows, which, fastened to a breast plate, formed what was called the Urim aud Thummim; that the possession

It was on the west side of a lofty hill, near the village of Manchester, in the county of Ontario, and not far from the top. Here in a stone box, the upper portion of which was just apparent above the soil, he saw the records, and the Urim and Thummim, which consisted of two transparent stones, clear as crystal, set in the two rims of a bow. While gazing with eager wonder, Nephi again stood in

poured their glory around him. Then there passed before him in terrible vision the prince of darkness and his associates; the good and the evil, the holy and the impure were revealed, that he might be confirmed in love of the one, and hatred of the other. But the plates were not yet to be committed to his care: before he could become their guardian, he must not only be willing, but able to keep the commandments of the Lord. Every year at the same time he was to visit the place where they were buried.

From this day forth he continued to receive supernatural instructions. These he communicated to his relatives. “I presume," says his mother, "our family presented an aspect as singular as any

that ever lived upon the face of the doctrine" affected him. He had been earth; all seated in a circle-father, in turn a Quaker, a Wesleyan, a Bapmother, sons, and daughters—and giving the most profound attention to a boy, eighteen years of age, who had never read the Bible through in his life." Strange that the prophet of a new dispensation should not be familiar with the revealed will of his omniscient Master!-that he whose mission was to usher in the most momentous age of timean age when all events and agencies were to be concentrated in their results, the transactions of which were to be but the consummation of eternal purposes-strange that he should be ignorant of that book, itself the chief instrument of truth, as well as its mirror, given specially, with its wondrous harmonies of grace and justice, for the enlightenment of all mankind! On the 22nd of September, in the following year, Joseph hurried to the appointed spot in full expectation of carrying the golden plates away with him; but he was not yet proof against temptation. A covetous thought flashed across his mind; the angel was not slow to exhibit his anger; and he had to go home weeping for disappointment. It was not till 1827 that he was honoured by the fulfilment of his desires; and then, having feasted his joyous eyes upon the sacred letters, his first anxiety was to find for them a secure place of conceal

ment.

tist, a Presbyterian. His heterogeneous and unsettled views admirably qualified him for discipleship where novelty was paramount and concrete things were invested with the enchantment of mystery. He was enraptured with the young prophet, and offered him fifty dollars to aid in the publication of his new Bible, and rendered assistance scarcely less valuable by transcribing for him, since he could not write himself, the translation as it proceeded. Poor Martin was unfortunately gifted with a troublesome wife; her inquisitive and domineering nature made him dread unpleasant results from his present engagement. His manuscript had reached one hundred and sixteen pages, and he therefore begged permission to read it to her, "with the hope that it might have a salutary effect upon her feelings." His request was at length granted; but, through carelessness or perfidy, while in his house, the precious document was irrecoverably lost. Joseph suffered greatly in consequence of this hindrance, but more from the anger of heaven which was manifested against him. As soon as possible, he resumed his task, having secured the services of another scribe, Oliver Cowdery, a schoolmaster in the neighbourhood.

Martin Harris, earnest as he was, despite his misfortune in the cause of Meantime, his father's fortune fluc- the Prophet, had never yet been favoured tuating, he had left him for a while to with a sight of the golden plates. He work at a silver mine; but his absence had not attained to sufficient purity of was of short duration. The opinion mind; but a copy of a small portion of which his neighbours were forming of their contents was placed in his hands, him (and their judgment was founded and this he was told he might show to on his actions) was in painful contrast any scholar in the world, if he wished to with the professions he now began to be satisfied. Accordingly, he started for make. They accused him of having New York, sought Professor Anthon, cheated a man by promising him a share and requested his opinion. Fortunately of silver ore which he said he had dis- we have authentic information respectcovered on the banks of the Susquehanna, ing this interview in a letter by the Probut which could never be found. On fessor himself, written some time after, returning from the mines, he gave fur- when the subject was exciting considerther token of his immaculate disposition able attention. From it we may gather by clandestinely marrying a young lady with tolerable certainty and clearness, whom he had persuaded to elope with what was the real state of the case at him. this time. He writes

However, as soon as the plates were obtained, we are told, he commenced the work of translation by the aid of the Urim and Thummim. In the neighbourhood there lived a farmer, named Martin Harris, possessed of some money and more credulity. Every "wind of

"Some years ago, a plain, apparently simple-hearted farmer, called on me with a note from Dr. Mitchell, of our city, now dead, requesting me to decipher, if possible, a paper which the farmer would hand me. Upon examining the paper in question, I soon came

6

to the conclusion that it was all a trick, Anthon, written without reference to perhaps a hoax. When I asked the the controversy, throws unwelcome light person who brought it how he obtained upon the subject. The confession of the writing, he gave me the following Martin Harris, himself a sincere and account: A gold book,' consisting unsuspecting believer, is highly prejudiof a number of plates fastened together cial to the character and pretensions of by wires of the same material, had been the Prophet. In the story of the specdug up in the northern part of the state tacles, and the trunk and curtain in the of New York, and along with it an enor- garret, there is nothing of enthusiasm mous pair of 'spectacles! These spec- or excited intellect, no self-deception, tacles were so large, that if any person but the most vulgar fraud that even attempted to look through them, his two stupidity itself could well devise. Most eyes would look through one glass only, strikingly novel is the idea of a giant— the spectacles in question being alto- beside whom Goliath would have been gether too large for the human face. a baby striding over the mountains, Whoever, he said, examined the rushing to the battle, or stemming with plates through the glasses, was enabled ease the mightiest torrent, his nose surnot only to read them, but fully to un- mounted by a pair of spectacles; and derstand their meaning. All this know- not less original would be that of an ledge, however, was confined to a young angel wandering and gazing through all man, who had the trunk containing the space, similarly caparisoned. The fabubook and spectacles in his sole posses- lous expansion of mental ability imsion. This young man was placed be- parted to Joseph by these telescopic aphind a curtain, in a garret, in a farm- pliances was quite in accordance with house; and being thus concealed from the experience of his family. "They view, he put on the spectacles occasion-used," says Gunnison in his account of ally, or rather looked through one of the the Mormons, "what are called in Scotglasses, deciphered the characters in the landseer stones,' through which perbook; and having committed some of sons born under peculiar circumstances, them to paper, handed copies from it is imagined, can see things at a disbehind the curtain to those who stood outside. Not a word was said about their having been deciphered by the 'gift of God.' Everything in this way was effected by the large pair of spectacles. The farmer added, that he had been requested to contribute a sum of money towards the publication of the 'golden book,' the contents of which would, as he was told, produce an entire change in the world, and save it from ruin. So urgent had been these solicitations, that he intended selling his farm and giving the amount to those who wished to publish the plates. As a last precautionary step, he had resolved to come to New York, and obtain the opi-element did really at any time predominion of the learned about the meaning nate in his character, it was abused to of the paper which he had brought with selfish purposes; still, perhaps, in some him, and which had been given as part degenerate form of fanaticism occasion of the contents of the book, although no ally nerving him for action and endurance. translation had at that time been made It was not probable that any man asby the young man with the spectacles. suming his position would long remain On hearing this odd story, I changed unnoticed. Opposition, from whatever my opinion about the paper; and in-cause it resulted, was soon apparent; stead of viewing it any longer as a hoax, I began to regard it as part of a scheme to cheat the farmer of his money, and I communicated my suspicions to him, warning him to beware of rogues."

This clear statement of Professor

tance, or future things passing before their eyes, or things buried in the earth. Such a stone, dug from a well, was loaned to the Prophet, and retained by him, and with it some of his family declared he read in the Golden Bible."

There is sufficient evidence of an impartial nature to confirm the opinion that Smith's object was worldly gainthat his early schemes were based on knavery, and carried out by the cunning of ignorance-that his pretensions grew with his success-that his revelations, roughly or barely expressed at first, were afterwards garnished and multiplied to suit the times- and that, if the religious

but its first assault remains on record to the confusion of his partisans. The wife of Martin Harris instituted a lawsuit against him, and stated in her affidavit that she believed the chief object he had in view, was to defraud her husband

of all his property. The trial took place at New York, and the facts, as related even by the mother of the Prophet, are strongly condemnatory of his conduct. She will, of course, give us liberty to interpret them with common sense and reason. Of three witnesses who were sworn, one, she says, testified that Joseph Smith had told him the box which he had contained nothing but sand, and that he said it was gold to deceive the people; another declared that he told him it was nothing but a box of lead which he was determined to use as he saw fit; and the third that, once enquiring what was in it, he was answered nothing-that Smith himself confessed he had made fools of the whole of them, and that all he wanted was to get Martin Harris's money-and that he, the witness, knew himself that he had by his persuasion already obtained two or three hundred dollars. Against this triple testimony Mrs. Smith fearlessly sets that of Martin Harris alone, who denied in solemn terms that her son had ever, in any manner, attempted to get possession of his money, and ended by assuring the gentlemen of the court that, if they did not believe in the existence of the plates, and continued to resist the truth, it would one day be the means of damning their souls. After his deposition, the magistrates dismissed the case, and requested the parties to trouble them no more with such ridiculous folly; but the evidence adduced, viewed in the most-favourable light, is adverse to the claims and character of Smith.

The translation of the "Book of Mor mon" was now rapidly progressing. Soon after the trial it was completed, and at this juncture the plates are said to have been seen by the witnesses, whose names are appended to the two declarations prefixed to every published volume. One of them is signed, "the testimony of three," by Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris; the other, "the testimony of eight," by Christian Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, jun., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, sen., Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith. Who the Whitmers were is uncertain; little or nothing is known respecting them beyond Mormon circles. The Smiths, to whose ill fame among their neighbours we have already adverted, gave further token of their audacity in fixing their signatures as pledges for the authenticity of a new

and startiing communication from the Deity. Martin Harris would seem to have been an infatuated simpleton. Though his name is attached as a witness, in conversation with Professor Anthon he spoke, after the publication of the book, as if the mysteries of the trunk were still unexplored, and the plates unseen. The Professor concludes the letter, from which we have already quoted, thus:-"Some time after, the same farmer paid me a second visit. He brought with him the 'gold book' in print, and offered it to me for sale. I declined purchasing. He then asked permission to leave the book with me for examination. I declined receiving it, although his manner was strangely urgent. I adverted once more to the roguery which, in my opinion, had been practised upon him, and asked him what had become of the gold plates. He informed me that they were in a trunk, with the spectacles. I advised him to go to a magistrate and have the trunk examined. He said, 'the curse of God' would come upon him if he did. On my pressing him, however, to go to a magistrate, he told me he would open the trunk if I would take the curse of God' upon myself. I replied I would do so with the greatest willingness, and would incur every risk of that nature, provided I could only extricate him from the grasp of rogues. He then left me."

The "Book of Mormon " professes to be an abridgment of the history, pro phecies, and doctrines of the ancient inhabitants of America, who were a branch of the house of Israel, of the tribe of Joseph, of which the Indians are still a remnant. Mormon was himself a prophet, and wrote at a time when their principal nation was slain in battle. He committed the records to the care of his son Moroni, who, being pursued by his enemies, deposited them where they were found, about the year 420. Were the "Book of Mormon" authentic, its value would arise from its restoring a fragment of lost history. Beyond this it could have no claim for regard. It might gratify a laudable curiosity, and form the basis of interesting, and, perhaps, profitable speculation; but neither science nor art could be advanced by its disclosures; it neither reveals forgotten or neglected agencies for the regeneration and civiliz'ation of the world, nor does it reflect