Sketch of the Rise Progress and DIspersion of the Mormons

There is a class of people in the United States, to which the following pages refer, who style themselves "mormons". This is a word which belongs to no language living or dead, saye that called, "gibberish;" it was coined by a presbyterian preacher, and bestowed upon one of his fictious charecters in a novel he wrote for his own amusement, during a chronic malady with which he was for some time affected. This fiction he termed the Book of Mormon. It is said, he never intended to publish it but lent it the manuscript to a friend in Fitt.sburg, Pennsylvania, United States, through whom it fell into the hands of a of bookseller there, who , either had a oopy of it written, or retained the original manuscript. The preacher died. - In process of time afterwards, the manuscript appeared in print, professing to be the translation of certain of certain Golden Plates, exhumed form the earth in the, State of New York. These plates were stated to have been revealed to on "Joe," of the universal family of Smith's, a fellow of no parts, but of that soft, or semi-daft, and 'Impres-ible nature, by which he was admirably fitted for the tool of abler, and more ingenious, knaves. He was made to pretend, that an angel had appeared to him, end revealed the existence, and whereabouts of the plates; which were alleged to be engraved in a very ancient character. When urged to produce these valuable gold plates, a fiction was invented to the effect. that the angel had only promised Joe (who never knew any other than his own vernacular, and 4oit very lmperfectly) to make a translation, which, he pretended, he was enabled to do by inspiration.This was published as the Book of Mormon, and offered to the people of the United States as a revelation from the author of the Holy Scriptures.

At first, like the fiction of Mahommed, the contemptible absurdities of Joe Smith's book found but a few gullible, or knaves enough in his particular craft to pretend to believe them. They made but little noise" at first; but in process of time a man went over to them, named Sydney Rigdon. This person was once a Baptist preacher, but leaving this demoniation, he connected himself very intimately with Mr Alexander Campbell of Bethany, BrooksCo., Virgi9nia. Whileassociated with him, he made himself perfectly acquanted with his views; and was quite a popular advocate of them. For some reason he seperated from Mr. Campbell, and joined Joe Smith and his company. Joe's Book was their confession of faith, which however was but charily used in the beginning. Like others of this class, he professed to respect the Bible and to preach it, but the new creed with the collateral revelations invented to suit the occasion, were the real "rule of faith and practice" in the case, I have seen a hand-book of Joe's revelations, which is found

[Entered at the Stationers Hall]

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chiefly in the possession of the initiated. It was in, the hands of a Mormon elder, fresh from Nauvoo, that I saw it, while I was residing in Illinois. Joe Smith came out publicly as a prophet, and Sydney Rigdon the advocate of the Imposture. They did not preach from Joe's book, but read a chapter in the Bible, and then discoursed in the words and sentiments of Mr. Campbell. In those days, be advocated the pre-millennial advent of Jesus in power end great glory in 1847; and proclaimed baptism for the remission of sins.

Accordingly Sidney Rigdon and his coadjutor made these wads these things conspicuous in their preachings. But, the Advent, and Baptism for Remission, are no part of the original traditions of Joe Smith's book; they were merely grafted opon them, and end presented in the foreground as bait to catch the unwary. When they they had made Campbellites of them in effect, they were then introduced to to "the Mysteries" which were reserved for the initiated, and they were convertedinto Mormons. They obtain the name from this cause They received the Book of Mormon as a revelation from nGod and Joe Smith as his prophet, and therefore received the name of Mormon.

I have heard a very fair discourse from one of their Nauvoo elders, on on Eph. iv.7-12, in which no Mormonism could be detected until near the end. "You must be," said he, baptized for the remission of your sins; but your immersion will do you no good unless it is administered by an apostle, prophet, evangelic pastor, or teacher. No church is a true church unless it have these Inspired officers; and no church but ours (the Mormon, without mentioning the name) is in possession of them. Much is said against the Mormons, because of the bad characters they have among them, but you do not condemn other sects on thisground, neither ought you to condemn the Mormons on this account, for they are not fellowshipped by us." Now in the United States. - Joe Smith, the ostensible leader of the sect, was a proverbial scoundrel: therefore, I Inquired, rising in the midst of an audience of about 200, "Do you fellowship Joe Smith ?" He said he did " not stand there to answer questions but if I would call upon him at his lodgings on the morrow he would talk to me." replied, that I did not ask for my own information, but for that of the audience. I knew what kind their -morality was of, but I wanted it demonstrated from his own lips, by theonly answer be dared give to my question, if he said anything, namely, that they did fellowship and glory in Joe Smith as their prophet, who was known to be one of the worst of characters in the "United States."--- This Mormon elder, formerly a Baptist preacher,was brought to my house next day by tho Universalist preacher, who said it was the earnest desire of the people that I should debate the subject of Mormonism with this advocate of it. After trying for sometime to persuade him to dispute with him, as he seemed so desirous for a debate, I very reluctantly consented. I happened to have in possession the Book of Mormon. I criticized its wretched English, end comparing its assertions with the Bible, pointed out uts flatcontradictions of its truths. He heaped upon me the most opprobrious epithets, calling me atheist, devil, mad, &cc. &cc.: and withal fought shy of Joe's Book as dangrous ground to tread on. At last, aftera day's exhibition of Mormon depravity, he fell subdued before the rodthat smote him, lie begged pardon for his abuse; and humbly prayed that I would make a collection for him to enable him to return to Nauvoo, It being a principle with me to return good for evil, I consented to cvi- what the people would give him. Out of 600 persons, I collected for him 75 cents and an old button, so highly did the citizens of St. Charles, about 100 miles from Nauvoo, estimate the traditions of the Mormon
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decern that the religions thieves are nothing but disorganizers and social pests; but, if it be merely a question, of truth and righteousness, or of the dishonour done to this Word and Name of God and his institutions, by impious imposters; and the transgressors. "I do not condemn you for making Bogus," said an illinois justice to a counterfeiter, "but for making it so badly." Such is an illustration of Far West "morality." You cannot creat public opinion in a popular sovereignty like this, or among the "bone and sinew" of the Near East in favor of divine principles; but, if they are to be moved to co-operate in checking a moral pestilence, the appeal must be to the pockets or stomachs, and no to the conscience of the nass. The Mormons were the agents of their own deserved punishment in this respect. By comitting depredations on the people,and protecting their theivish brethren in the den a Nauvoo with the State arms they brought such a storm upon themthat again dispersed them to the four winds. Their friend Governer Ford, was compelled to call out the militia, or volunteers to put them down. The arms, intrusted to them by the State, supplied them with weapons to carry onthe war. Joe Smith, Lieutenant General and Mormon Prophet of Nauvoo, was by no means a contemptible imitation of Mohammed, camel driver to Cadijah, Prophet of Mecca, and Star of the Bottomless Pit. Joes generalship, whatever his prophetship might be, was far from rivalling that of his more successful prototype. Joe was certainly "born out of due time." He doubtleess belonged to the seventh century, and should have flourished 'in the desert. He might then have astonished the world, and lived in the remembrance of all future time as Lieutenant Commander of all faithful Moslems. But, unhappy Joe! No victorious laurel wrethed his brow. He fell into the hands of the "infidels;" and was carried with other chief robbers to the town of Alton on the left bank of the Mississippi, there to be kept in "durancevile" until further orders. But Joe by no means relished this disposition of his person. He determined therefore to escape. Had he been a real prophet be would not have tried it; for he would have know that the attempt would fail. But, judicially deluded, he undertook it, and in the trial was shot by the sentinel, and "diedas a fool dieth."

The result of "the Mormon War" was the capitulation of the Nauvooans. They were disarmed, and spared from further punishment, on condition of moving off from Ilinois. Time was granted them to sell their property in Church and State; but on no account would the citizens permit such militant and thievish saints to reign in the Nauvoo Jerusalem, under pain of a prompt visitation from the myrmidous of Judge Lynch.

This vial of popular indignation having been poured out on Nauvoo, these Latter-Day Saints commenced their progress toward Oregon. Numbers died before they reached their destination, and rest from their iniquity under the praire sod. The Mexican war breaking out, opened a new field of enterprize to the survivors, bettersuited to their principles and propensitied. A Morman band was raised, and marched into California. The rest is known. The war being ended, they "stuck their stakes" in the aureous sandof the Scamento. They arenow betteremployed in washing for goldthan in stealingtheir neighbor's hogsand cattle ; though,if all be true which isnarrated of the people there,there is still congenial scope for the practice of their profession. Take and keep who canis the orthodox Californian creed; which from past experience, we may truly say, is highly palatable to the Saints of the Latter-Day
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We have published this narrative at the particular instance of several in this country, where, we are sorry to hear, this imposture is making considerable progress. This brief history of Joe Smithism will do more, probably, to open the eyes of the public than a grave, or formal, refutation of its principles. No good thing can come out of such a system; And, I can only account for people turning Mormons in England, on the ground of their ignorance of its nature and history. Honestly disposed people can only become Mormons from not knowing the Scriptures This is the remedy for all similar cases - an understanding of the Word of the Kingdom of God. Let this be understood, and there need be no fear of man stultifying their intellects by turning Papists, Sectarians, Socialists. or Mormons. They will be proof against "the cunning craftiness of men whereby they lie in, wait to deceive ;" the "winds of doctrine," which blow from Wittemburg, Geneva, Oxford, Westminister, Canterbury, or Rome, will pass by them as "the idle wind which they respect not ;" to the "doctrines concerning demons" they will give no heed ; but, " built upon the foundation of Apostles and Prophets" they will "grow into a Holy Temple In the Lord; bulided together in Him Mini for a Habitation of God through the Spirit."

In conclusion, I would add, that the Mormons In the United States have a practice, which ought to be sufficient to open the eyes of every person to their profound ignorance of the first principles of Christianity, which they so impiously and absurdly mix up with the "revelations" of the late Mormon Joe. The custom to which I refer is this. On the principle that, if a man dies in his sins he is lost; and, that an immersion by an inspired administrator is indispensable to the remission of sins; and, because they find in 1 Cor. xv.29 the phrase, " baptized for the dead-;" therefore they hold, that a man who has died without immersion a short or long, time ago, may be saved by immersing living Mormon as his substitute. The immersed Mormon is then said to be "baptized for the dead." Now, they took it into their heads, that General Washington and Dr. Benjamin Franklin, were such choice spirits that they ought to have a place in heaven, which they could not unless Mormon philanthropy stepped in to deliver them. Accordingly, a Mormon disciple came forward to be baptized as the General's substitute, and another as Benjamin Franklin's, and these two respectable characters were inducted by proxy into heaven and the Mormon church! Would it not have been an improvement for Lieutenant General Joe, the Prophet, to have obtained from the National Institute at Washington, George Washington's old fashioned regimentals, that the substitute might have presented some apparent connexion with "the Father of his Country!" Immersing the regimentals, we conceive, would have been as rational and efficaious for the remission of the General's sins, as dipping the Mormon substitute, and quite as scriptural ; for, it says, "What shall they do which are baptized for the dead?" and this, if we read Scripture like Mormons, _nay_ mean, "What shall they, the regimentals, do," as well, as "What shall they, the Mormons, do," for it says as much about regimentals as about Mormons, who pretend to be "baptized for the dead!"
But "they err" egregiously "not knowing the Scriptures" The Apostle is not writing about the baptism of substitutes, but the baptism of the living then dead for a certian end ; for the text is, (Greek letters here) This is literally "the baptized on account of the dead (plural, dead persons) what shall they (the baptized) do, if the dead are
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not awaked at all? - The "they" refers to the persons actually immersed (huper per toon nekroon ) on account of the dead persons, and not to substitutes; for he says, "What shall they do who are baptized," &cc; we put the same question to show the absurdity, "What will they, the two Mormon substitutes, do, If George Washington and Benjamin Franklin do not rise at all ?" But enough of this nonsense. The Apostle is defending the doctrine of a resurrection of righteous dead persons, against the denial of a future resurrection by some in the church at Corinth, who had embraced the dogma of Plato newly vamped by Hymeneus and Philetuius. He argues, that Christians die in hope of the resurrection of the righteous to endless life. That this doctrine is peculiar to the gospel; that he preached it; that they believed it, and were baptized for it. But, if there was no resurrection, as they said, those believers who were then dead, who had been baptized into the hope of It, and who bad died in the faith of it, were all irredeemably lost - had "perished." "Baptized for the dead " is an eliptical phrase, and the chasm in it must be supplied by the argument, which resolves it into this, "Else the baptized for the (Greek here) in hope of the resurrection (Greek here) of the deed (believers) what shall they do (what will become of them) if the dead are not awaked at all?" This is the unvarnished grammatical construction, and none but a Joe Smithite, or a person unskilled in the Word, would put any other construction upon it.

Having presented the public with this brief sketch, they will be enabled the better to comprehend the following account of Van Dusan. We trust the narrative will answer the end proposed, that is, to save them from disappointment and ruin by one of the most humiliating Impostures that has illustrated the folly and wickedness of the human mind in any age. If this be accomplished I shall not regret the performance of the taskimposed upon me by the wishes of many who have witnessed the un-hallowed Influence of Joe Smith's impieties, in this island. At all events,I shall have discharged & duty incumbant on every man and that is, to combat all "imaginations and every thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God," as well as to "contend earnestly for the faith originally delivered to the saints," by the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ
JOHN THOMAS.
3, Brudenell Place, New North Road. London; March, 1849

(gifpointinghand/finger) Those readers who desire to be conversant with original Christianity as taught by the Apostles of Jesus Christ, should read the Gospel Banner, a monthly periodical, price twopence, devoted especially to the advocacy of primitive truth. London, Hall & Co., 20, Paternoster Row, and, by order, of all Booksellers,

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THE HIDDEN ORGIES OF MORMONISM

PRACTISED IN-

NAUVOO AND ITS TEMPLE.
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The Mormon city, is in a bend on the banks of the Mississippi, United States, and occupies an elevated position and space of about three miles -ono- way and four the other. The ground is promiscuously built up, with a variety of houses, sufficient in number to contain about fifteen thousand inhabitants. The buildings vary from a small log and mud hut, from ten to fourteen feet square, one story, to between one and two hundred feet square, four stories including basement, of brick and stone. The occupants are about one half Americans, perhaps one-third English, and the remainder from different nations. There are no blacks. The Public Buildings - a Seventies' Hall, of brick, two stories; a Masonic Hall. of brick, four stories, including basement; a Music Hall, of brick, one story, about forty or sixty feet; an Arsenal, three stories, of stone. Then the Great Temple, which is unques-tionably one of the finest buildings in the country. Its location is about in the centre of the city, on a hill that rises gradually from the river; it Is built of white limestone quarried from the banks of the Mississippi. The architect's name is Weeks, under the superintendence of Joseph Smith. Hundreds of Mormons were employed on it, directly or indirectly, fromits commencement. It is eighty feet wide, one hundred and twenty-eight feet in length, and from the ground to the extreme summit, it measures two hundred and ninety-two feet. It is alter no particular style of architecture. It has a portico of three archways; is surrounded with thirty polished stone pilasters, at the base of which is carved a new moon inverted, while the capital of each is formed of a full head the whole breadth of the pilaster, projecting out from the building, representing the rising Sun coming out from a cloud, supported by two hands holding a trumpet. Directly under the tower, in front, is the following inscription in golden letters: -

"The House of the Lord, built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Letter-Day Saints. Commenced April 6th, 1841. Holiness to the Lord."

In the centre of the basement, which is the full size of the Temple, converging to the centre, is a baptismal font, (the object of which I will briefly describe below,) supported by twelve oxen as large as life, heads fronting out each way from the centre, executed in solid stone. Two stairways lead into the

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font from opposite directions. All around the outside of this main floor are small rooms, designed for a purpose I cannot here describe for want of room. On the first floor are three pulpits, and a place for a large choir; and on either side eight arched windows. Around the hall of the spacious attic, are fwelve small rooms, each lighted with a beautiful circular win- dow, and a massive lock on the door. The walls of the build- ing are ahout six feet thick. The summit of this splendid edifice is gained by two winding stairways from the base. The probable cost is about One Million Dollars.

This grand structure was commenced in 1841, under the following circumstances: - Joseph Smith issued a Proclamation to all his followers in Nauvoo, and in all parts of the earth where they were, that God commanded them, through him, to build him a house, wherein he, the Lord, might reveal through his prophet Joseph, ordinances essential to their salvation, which had been hidden from the Church from the foundation of the world: and: the conditions of his followers receiving those ordinances and blessings were, that they were to appropriate one-tenth of their time and property in building the same. The building of the house continued three years; at which time, Smith was killed under circumstances already known to the public; by which unexpected circumstance, the whole body of Mormons were thrown into confusion, supposing the object for which the house, was built, had vanished with Smith, their prophet. Consequently it was not long before there arose a hot contest between Sidney Rigdon and some more of the ambitious ones, which should be great as was the prophet Joseph. Finally, a man by the name of Brigam Young (now heading thousands off to the remote part of the earth, to their literal ruin in many instances,}-.he being more crafty than the rest - succeeded in getting Smith's place. After which he commenced his strata- gem to carry out and prosecute (as he says) Smith's measure in secret. Accordingly, after a secret preparation in the temple of a few individuals selected for that purpose, with closedoors, unknown to the main body of the people, we are called in, by two at a time, male and female, and are initiated into the following mysteries-and bound, at the. expense of life, not to tell another -not even a Mormon.

FIRST DEGREE IN THE TEMPLE

The 'following process is what myself and wife were personally taken through, in turn with upwards' of twelve thousand,

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others, in the temple, in the winter of 1846, said to be our reward, as revealed from, God to Joseph Smith, for erecting that splendid edifice, and'the express object for which it was built.

The drama (as I call it) runs thus: -

We have a notice to appear at the temple at five in the morning. I am instructed to wear white drawers, My wife is to bring her night clothes with her What these are ordred for, we have no idea in the least. We are met at the outside porch of the temple, and ordered to pass up the main winding stairway, from the base to the attic story; we are ordered to be seated, where we lay off the hat, cloak, bonnet,: &c. ; our anxiety now begins moderately to increase by some curious and strange movements we see here, such as carrying water' to and from a certain direction, &e. A few of such and other similar strange movements are accidentally crossing our observa- tion, as we sit here on this singular occasion, conducted, to begin with, where we did nDt expect to go - that is, to the attic story of the temple. We are now called out and placed in front of a closed door that opens on a floor the whole size of the temple. I am ordered now to take my wife and pass through this door, which opens as we approach it We are brought immediately into a narrow hall; at the further end of the hall stands a man as we approach him he says, you must here separate ; directs me through a door to the right, my wife through one at the left, in an opposite direction. I am now ordered to be seated ; I next pass through an examination to the affect, whether I am sufficiently responsible to receive what they are about to commit to me &c. If I am known to be so, I am initiated through; if not, I go no further. After under- going an examination of this kind, I am ordered by the conductor to lay off my outside clothes, such as coat, vest, pants, boots, &c., and lay them on a pile in the centre of the floor.

SECOND DEGREE IN THE TEMPLE.

I Am next conducted through a door into another room, which is considerably shaded, nearly to twilight. There is a variety of ceremony going on in this room, some of rather too delicate a nature to speak of, as this work is designed to be read by all classes of both sexes. I am however, divested of the remainder of my clothing, which leaves me in a state of perfect nakedness, and placed in a horizontal position in a bath of water that has been prepared for that,. purpose. and I am washed from head to foot, with the, foliowing-.oeremony: --

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"I wash you that you may be clean to perform the work assigned to you; - your eyes, that you may see the glory of God ;-your ears, that you may hear his voice;-your mouth, that you may speak forth his praise;-your arms and breast that you may he strong to perform his work;-your thus and so ; - your (I dare not explain] and so down to your feet, that you may be swift to run the race," &c.

All this time I am rolled and tumbled about from one side of the bath to the other. Head a part of the time under the water, half strangled under a considerable excitement, not knowing what is coming next, At last the priest lays his hands on my head, and pronounces me clean in the name of the Lord, and prepared for the further ordinances of this house.

I am now ordered out of the bath in a standing position, and have perfumed oil poured from a cow's crooked horn on the top of my bead, until it runs partly over my body, I am now said to be the Lord's anointed, as in the days of old, when they were anointed to the office of king, &c, After this I am seated, and the priest lays his hands on my head and ordains me to be king in time and eternity. After receiving this ordination, I am presented with, and have put on, what they call, an under garment. This is a tight fit, made of white cotton cloth, with two marks cut in it; aequare in the breast, and a compass on the knee. I am told this garment represents the white stone in Scripture, in which was a new name given. I here have a new name given me. I am told also, that I am always to wear this garment under my clothes while I am in the world. God has ordered this; and I can receive no harm while I have it on. The name I received was Lehi, one of thenames of the Book Mormon, This name I was forbidden to reveal to any one but at the door of the Celestial Kingdom. What this meant I found out afterwards. The compass on the knee signifies our,wiilingness to how always; the square. God's protection, &c. I have now put on me, over this under garment, a common shirt open at the collar. In this dregs, after so much ceremony. I am conducted into a third room.

THIRD DEGREE IN THE TEMPLE.
I AM next placed in a certain position on the floor, supposed to be, Adam in embryo. All is now silent for a while, the silence is at lengh t broken by a rumbling noise from a distance; the noise terminates in a voice --" Let there be light, let the light be divided from the darkrness; let the light be called day

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and the darkness night: let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters : let the firmament be called heaven; let the waters under the firmament be gathered together in one place and let the dry land appear; let the dry land be called earth, and the gathering together of waters, seas; let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit, after his kind, whose seed is in itself upon the earth; let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth, after their kind."

[The reader will perceive that this conversation differs from Moses' history of the creation.] Moses says. ' And the Lord said, Let there be light," &c, and there was light," speaking of the Deity in the third person. It is here as if the Almighty himself is first in the act of creation and this is the idea intended in the farce.]

After the individual thus representing the Lord behind the curtain (as in the act of creation,) is supposed to have created the heavens and the earth, cattle, beasts, creeping things, fowls of the air, fish of the sea, &c., he continues his work farther and says, "Now let us go down and make man in our image after our likeness," All this time I am in silence, hearing, but not seeing anything, and knowing not what is to take place the next moment; for all is new and unexpected from first to last, of this whole drama. When be says, "Let us go down and make man," I hear his footsteps approaching the room where I am; he comes in - comes to where I am - puts his hands to the floor, and then on me, as if fulfilling this Scripture. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, end man became a living soul," After going on as if forming me newly of the dust of the ground, he stoops down and breathes on me, and now I am supposed to spring into life. I am next ordered to change my position to a sleeping one, as if fulfilling, "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept." I am now ordered to put my head down low, and feign myself in a deep sleep. The individual representing the Almighty, continues his work, as if fulfilling. "And he took a rib, and the rib which the Lord God had taken from man made be a woman, and brought her unto the man." After he has taken the rib, he passes out of the room, and is supposed to have formed the woman of the rib; he soon returns with a woman, and plces her directly before me, as I am sitting, head down, as if in a deep sleep. I am now saluted by a loud voice. "Adam here is thy companion. I give her to be with thee

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What wilt thou call her?" I now raise my headawake out of my feigned sleep, and to my surprise, a female stands directly in front of me, about three-feet from my knees, as I am seated her dress consists of an under piece of linen, white stockings, long nightgown all tied down before, and a white head dress of book-muslin, looking me directly in the face with a smile. As I raise up my head from the voice, "Adam, here is thy companion-what wilt thou call her?" I now answer, "This is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man."
Altar a second squint at this new made Eve, I found her to be my wife, that I had separated from me on entering the temple. This was the first time I had seen her, or even thought of her, from the commencement of this very queer and excitable farce, my mind being altogether taken up with, the novelty of this unexpected ceremony. She tells me after leaving me where we were ordered to part., on first entering, she has gone through two rooms, and the same ceremony precisely, only conducted by females exclusively, We are now supposed to be Adam and Eve, and the reason of my shirt being outside, and she having on night clothes, is to represent nature. I am next ordered to take Eve and follow our conductor through a partition door into another apartment.
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FOURTH DEGREE IN THE TEMPLE.
This is a much larger room than the others through which we have passed, the floor all nicely covered with green trees, shrubbery plants, flowers, &c., one varying from the other in height as they stand on the floor, forming alleys, walks, &c. representing the garden of Eden. This place being a little shaded, at least as dark as twilight, end the shrubbery interspersed with human beings, dressed in this peculiar way, acting out so sublime apiece, formed asight both novel and "sublime' in the extreme.
We follow a men here through the alleys and walks of the garden representing the Almighty; beholding the strange and unexpected scenery that has just presented itself to our view, says "This is a beautiful place; everything delightful for the eye and taste-of all these things you may freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, (pointing to a cartain tree,) thou shalt not eat: neither shalt thou touch it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." He leaves the garden and in a few moments , another individual comes in representing the Devil. He walks round between

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the trees, and peaks end skulks as if intent on same mischief, and coming to the tree which we have been forbidden to per. take of, he says to my wife: "This is the best of all the fruit of the garden." and solicits her to partake. She takes, eats, and gives to me. While we are amusing ourselves with the delicious taste of the fruit, (which is raisins tied to a small tree on the floor,) the conductor starts up suddenly, stamps on the floor, and says, "Hark! the Lord is coming: let us hide!" We are ordered to squat down behind the shrubbery on the floor. The feigned Lord's footsteps are now heard. Coining m, he walks on the floor; at last he calls out, "Adam, where art thou?" We answer, "We heard thy voice and footsteps in the garden, and were afraid, and hid ourselves." And he says, "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Mast thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee not to eat?" I answer, "The women whom thou gavest to be with me, gave me of the tree and I did eat," He then turns to my wife, and says, "What is this thou hast done? She answers, "The Serpent beguiled rue and I did eat." He now turns to the individual representing the Devil, and says, " Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust thou shalt eat all the days of thy life."

After the man representing the Devil receives the curse from the one acting the part of the Lord, he gets down and crawls out of the room on his belly, dragging himself slowly along, as if cursed indeed. To my wife the Lord adds, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception: in sorrow thou shalt. bring forth children," &c. And to me he says, "Because thou has hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I commended thee, saying, thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake: in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee: in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for dust thou and, and unto the dust thou shalt return.'
We next have aprons put on of white cloth, about eighteen inches square, with green silk leaves pasted on. We are ordered to kneel down to an altar that stands on the centre of the floor, where we are instructed in a variety of things, such as the folly end impropriety of being deceived by the Devil, and our not obeying the command of God, &c, Weare also strictly cautioned not to be led astray again by the Devil's influence in any shape that it may come hereafter. We now say on our knees, we renounce the Devil for ever, and promise also to keep

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the commandments of God. We have now certain signs, grips, key-words,&c. given, and all the whys and wherefores explained. One of the grips. is, the two right hands clasped, with the end of the thumbs on the upper joint of the forefingers-: second, the end of the thumbs directly. between the I per two joints of the first Lad second fingers. One of the key-words, is the Sun. We are particularly instructed in these signs, key-words, grips, &c., three of each.
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FIFTH DEGREE IN THE TEMPLE.
A burlesque on all the sects

We are now conducted into another, a fifth room, which is a representation of the present Religious world, This room is darker than any of the others through which we have passed expreseive of what the Mormons say of the sects, that they are all wrong and in gross darkness. The idea conveyed of what is in this room is, that we, Adam and Eve, have strolled away from the true ways of the Lord, and have become contaminated by some or all of the sectarian religions of the day; or in other words, a lapse of six thousand years is supposed to have intervened between what is here acted and that in the room we were in previously. -

Our attention is now, attracted by an individual coming in from an adjoining room, representing the Devil. He comes in great glee, hopping and skipping about the floor, holding in his hand a long-handled wooden noggin, which holds about a pint, when, stopping suddenly, he looks us in the eyes and says "Good morning, brother Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Baptist. Universalist, Shaking Quaker, Milerite, Campbellite," &c., enumerating all the sects of the day. except the Mormon: "Come, let us drink the cup of fellowship this morning" He now drinks, and hands the noggin to us; we drink, and hand it back, He then goes on as follows: "Well, brethren, you have done well - had a great many revivals- gained numerous hosts of converts, and would have succeeded in getting the world into some of our churches, had it not been for that Joe -Smith and the Mormons. They are round everywhere, preaching "that we are all wrong -not organized according to - -Scripture; and say we (Protestants,) have no authority to preach except what we have got from the Catholics, and all the world agrees that that is good for nothing. And now, brethren of these sects, I tell you, that Mormon plann is an almighty one, and much to be dreaded-it strikes at the very root and foundation of aIl our holy religion, and will eventually become the. pre

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valing religion, unless something can be done to stop it. It has been supposed a humbug, and would soon come to naught. But this supposition is founded altogether in ignorance."

After a long ceremony of this kind, in favour of the Mormon Fraternity, we are interrupted by another individual coming in, representing the Almighty. He commands the Devil to depart - and let these deceived people (the sects) alone, and trouble them no longer: for the time has come when they shall be delivered from his Satanic influence and power, by which tiny have been bound since the Apostolic age of the world.

The Devil now reluctantly withdraws, and makes toward the door looking back at the heavenly messenger, and halts, as if at a loss to leave or stay. He is now commanded again, to leave and let the sects alone. He now drops his noggin and flees out of the room with great haste and fury. The supposed Lord that his acted the last part. and conquered the Devil, takes us now and teaches us the folly of every other way, that is, all the sectarian ways, and recommends the only true way to us, i. a., the Apostolic way, which be tells us is Joseph Smith's doctrine in every particular. We are now supposed to he convened to the Mormon faith exclusively, in token whereof, we base our clothing' changed, and are dressed in white linen, exactly alike.

SIXTH DEGREE IN THE TEMPLE.

We are next conducted through a partition door into a room that represents the Millennial Morning, or the holy. (not the most holy,) place; on the centre of this floor stands another altar erected, with three Books on it-the Bible, Book of Mormons, and Doctrine and Covenants, (the revelations of Joseph.) We are required to kneel at this altar, where we have an oath administered to the effect, that we will henceforth and forever use all our influence to destroy this nation, and teach it to our posterity and all that we have influence over, in return for their killing the Prophet Joseph. They say the murdering of Smith is a national offence. It is true that all were not personally engaged in the act, but the nation has long winked at the abuse of the Mormons, and in this, way they have encouraged mobs from time to time, until they have finally taken the life of the Lord's Prophet, and now it is the will 'of the Lord, that the nation should be destroyed; and this is his will, that we shall enter into this secret conspiracy against the Government, &c for the above reasons and many more given. We are also all sworn at this altar, by a solemn oath,that we will never reveal to any person what we here do and see in the Temple. during the whole farce, from first to last. If we give the least idea, or intimation of it, our lives are to be taken: and the way of taking it is described; our bowels are to be taken out, tongue taken, out by the roots, throats out across, &c. The Lord, his holy angels, and all that are in the room, are called upon to witness the solemn covenant we here make.

The Oath

You do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, his angels and these witnesses, (pointing to individuals in the room that have secret instructions to take life,) that you will from this time henceforth and for ever begin and carry out hostilities against this notion, and teach it to your children: and to keep the same intent a profound secret now and for ever, so help you God.
The individual that administers this oath, next takes hold of the hand, and gives other grips, signs, words. &c., of a higher a order than those given in the garden of Eden. After being instructed in many other things in this room of less consequence. I am taken by a female conductor and led to another partition which they call the Veil that separates the Holy from the Most Holy place.

This thin cloth, called the Veil, is something like book muslin, covers a vacancy, left in the partition for this purpose, behind which stands a man in the Most Holy place. With him I converse, through this thin cloth. I here give him the new name I confidentially received, signs, motions, grips. &c., given to me at the different altars, which, is a condition of my entrance through a door about three or four feet to the left. called the Door of the Celestial Kingdom of God. My con- ductor knocks at this door - it is opened by one from within, who asks, "Who is there?" My conductor replies. "One having kept all the commandments of God, (referring to the carrying out of principles represented and acted in this farce,) desires to enter the kingdom add be for ever with the Lord"

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SEVENTH DEGREE IN THE TEMPLE.

I now pass through this door, which brings me into a very large and spacious room. perfectly light; all nicely furnished, representing the Celestial Kingdom of God, or the highest degree of glory that man is to arrive at in the eternal. world. This being the last room, representing the final. rest of man, we are new all clothed in th apparel of kings and, queens, with

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crowns. upon our, heads, representing what we are finally to come in possesson of - that is what we were ordained to in the second room, king and queen, for that is the object of this whole drama to represent what has been and will be through time and eternity. This being the last room, we come in turn, two at a time, through all the others; here we remain as long as we please. Icings and queens, sometimes numbering hundreds, all conversing of course on the singular and unex-pected blessing just received, as pretented from the hand of the Lord, for which we have laboured so hard, presenting a most curious and novel sight. There is another door that enters this room. Many come in from that direction, that have gone through the initation previously. This is the reason of so many being in that room - The law is, that all who have thus been initiated have the privilege of coming in this last, room when they please, by going first to a certain place in the Temple and preparing themselves with the kingly apparel before described, for none are permitted to enter this holy place on any other condition than giving the signs, &c. that he receives while going through this ordeal. in this room, when thus assembled, are all the Mysteries of the Kingdom taught, such as what is called the Spiritual-Wife Doctrine. The women are here instructed by this Leader, through his round-about stratagem, that they are no more under obligations to their husband, if they have one, (if he or his associates take a notion to her,) and it is their privilege to leave their lawful husband and take another and it is the, privilege of some kings to have scores, yes, hundreds of queens,' especially the King of kings, Brigham Young. the present Mormon God in California - (or devil, I should say, for I have reason to believe he is the wickedest man now on the face of the earth;) and, further, as we are all made kings and queens by this secret farce, the foundation for a kingdom is laid, also. And here is the secret of the Spiritual. Wife Doctrine -'Their kingdom is to consist in their own posterity,and the more wives the greater his opportunity of getting a large kingdom, of course; so it is anobject to one that holds this doctrine sacred, as thousands do, to get all the women he can, con sequently, it subjects that portion of the female sect which he has influence over, eventually to literal ruin.

I might write a volume on this principle, of facts, as taught by this leader, but I forbear, fearing it will be considered as persecution, and the object that I intended will not be accom-plished; that is, giving to the world this bare Temple Cere-mony, from the fact, that it is kept a secret from most of their own peopl e and that it tend to evil,

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The question has been frequently asked me, by those who have not read this work, if you have bound yourself by an oath to keep this a secret, where is the propriety of your revealing it? My answer to such questions is, the man that conducted us through this farce, did it by cunning intrigue and usurped authority, and is himself, with the farce, an imposition on the Mormon Church, and their original principles, let them be what they may. For instance, they have it recorded on their Church Record, that a man shall have but one wife; &o.; here he says we may have more, but makes us swear not to tell it at the expense, of life. Again: previous to my going through this farce. I know not what they would require of me. All this came on unexpected and new, from the beginning; con- sequently, for the reasons above, and many more that might be given, I feel under no obligation to keep it; but a duty to publish it, that all who are or may, come under this leaders in-fluence, may be warned against what will prove their ruin, if his principles are earned out.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

Now the man that led twelve or fifteen thousand through this farce, has gone with the main body of the Mormons, to California, with the express understanding, to toy certain knowledge, of carrying out these principles among the Western Indians, and all whom he has influence over. He, told others that were at Nauvoo, those who where not let into these Temple Mysteries, (for all did not go in for want of time and opportunity,) that when they got to California, there would be a tent pitched in the wilderness for the Indians' benefit and all others that had not an opportunity at the Temple at Nauvoo. The idea is, if they had not been driven from Nauvoo, all the Mormons in all the world would have gone there in their turn, and received their great anticipated blessing, which 1 have described in these few pages to the very letter, in substance particularty for the benefit of those who & to under this wicked leader 8 influence, After Smiths death, he issued his proclamation to the Mor-mons in the United States, that they must come forthwith to Nauvoo, and the Lord would tell them what to do after obeying those orders. He takes us in the Temple in secret, and says, this is the Lord's *111, that you are to cease preaching to these United States, and: go -to other,nstions This is the reason why none are preaching here. (Hence the remark.--- I think they are about broken up."). I know of thousands of young

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and able bodied men, who had all this secret instruction with me in Nauvoo the winter before they left, and are now activelyengaged in making converts in foreign nations and the islands of the sea, and are instructed to go west after this Brigham Young, the wickedest man probably now on the earth. While I am writing this, let no one say it is persecution or fiction. I would not say one word on tho subject, if I did not know the awful consequences of carrying out that aspiring man's prin -ciples. Look for one moment at its awful effects. He has issued his proclamation to all the Mormons in all the world where they are, to now centre at California, and build another city. There are some of thorn already there with access to some of the most secluded and powerful tribes of Indians in the world. Now suppose his principles are carried out. (as I am certain they will be.) who cannot see but there will be great trouble and loss of thousands of the lives of innocent men. women, and children? Now if there was no deception in this Almighty Machine and Engine of Death, (this secret farce,) I would say nothing. But how can I hold my peace. when I know the foundation of a scheme that cannot fail of the literal ruin of my fellow men? Oh, if I was to possession of sufficient eloquence, I could here write a true picture of consequences. that would make the hair raise on the readers' head.

Only contemplate for one moment: - A few thousands are already at their destined home, between the Rocky Mountains end the west sea, with good reasons, as they suppose. for form-ing this conspiracy against the government. Thousands already under their, influonce, all calculating to go to that place, with an inducement that the Lord has, in the Nauvoo Temple, and will reveall great secrets, essential to their salvation. Now this is all brought on by degrees, and stratagem covered over with sanctimony and religious costume, &c. giving powerful im- pressions on the mind which cannot be realized by the reader in these limited remarks.

Now, If Black Hawk and others could make so much trouble with the western whites without any particular premeditation or secret organization, or plan, what can the Indians do headed by a cunning, designing white man, such as the one I have named? The Mormon Bible claims to be the Indian's record; and they are told this American land is legally theirs; that the whites have an unlawful possession, and the Indians are finally to drive off the whites and possess their, father's land. We are here told that this ceremony is the commencement of the Law of God and the laws of the land are no more binding on us , but we must at present submit for want of strength and power but after strengthing ourselves and geting our, own

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people the American Indians with us

(cannot read)

dying away they can, with the same propriety say, (can't rread)
rained more because a great shower has passed and there are no clouds to be seen now, But Oh readers can you reason on this subject, with half the propreity? Is there not a Cloud in the west already as big as a man's hand to be seen? I think there is.

I am frequently asked, what do you believe? In answer O would say, for the benefit of such that I believe what I please.
There are many things concerning the Fraternity that I as fully believe in as I did when I first went with them, and always shall, from the fact that they are true; but at the same time I have seceded, and I am free to say, that I am set against the proceedings of the Mormons at Nauvoo, and I am in the full belief that as that body existed there; they were abomninably corrupt and are now cursed of God and according to Smith's last letter (that is said to be written by him) it shows that if he ever was a good man he died in consequewnce of sin. My apolofy for writing thie Temple Secret, is that it tends to evil in the highest degree: and as I know many consequences of enormous magnitute, I have, after much reflection written it out and published it, to prevent others going after it.
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Declaration on Oath of the truth of the foregoing account --United States of America
Southern District of New York

I, J. Mc Gee Van Dusen and Maria Van Dusen his wife, being duly sworn do depose and say that the matters set forth in the pamphlet entitled the "Sublime and Rediculous Blended," by published are true; and that they themselves have passed through the initiation ceremony by which thousands have been and are now being formed into a secret conspiricy against the nation.
J. Mc Gee Van Dusen
Marie Van Dusen
Sworn this 18th day of December 1817, before me
Davis L Gardiner, US Commisciousner
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H Hudston Painthe, Maypole Yard, Nottingham