Singular Origin of Mormonism.
The Book of Mormon, or "Golden Bible" it would seem, is the production of the Rev. Solo-mon Spaulding, formerly pastor of a Presbyterian churcn on the western Reserve in Ohio. While suffering under disease, to amuse himself and his friends, he wrote an imaginary history of the mysterious race of men who built the ancient mounds and other works of art, which are scat-tered so profusely over the valley of the Missis-sippi. His manuscript falling into ihe hands of wicked and designing men, has been perverted into the means of building up the new sect of fa-natics. The Rev. John Storrs, of Holliston, Mass., learning that the widow of Mr. Spaulding was living at Monson, Mass., addressed her a letter, and obtained the following narrative, which we copy from the Boston Recorder.
Rev. Solomon Spaulding was a graduate of Dartmouth College, and was distinguished for a lively imagination and a great fondness for histo-ry. At the time of our marriage, he resided in Cherry Valley, N. Y. From this place we re-moved to New Salem, Ashtabula county, Ohio, on Conneaut Creek. Shortly after, his health sunk, and he was laid aside from active labors. In New Salem, there are numerous mounds and forts. These ancient relics arrest the attention of the new settlers. Numerous implements were found, evincing great skill in the arts. Mr Spaul-ding took a lively interest in these developements of antiquity; and in order to beguile the hours of retirement and furnish employment for his lively imagination, he conceived the idea of giv-ing an historical sketch of that long lost race.—Their extreme antiquity of course would lead him to write in the most ancient style, and as the Old Testament is the most ancient book in the world, he imitated its style as nearly as possible. This was about the year 1812. It claimed to have been written by one of the lost nation, and to have been recovered from the earth and, assu-med the title of "Manuscript Found." The neighbors would often inquire how Mr. S. pro-gressed in deciphering the manuscript, and when he had a sufficient portion prepared they would assemble to hearit read. He was enabeled (from his acquaintance with the classics and an-cient history, to introduce many singular names, (which were particularly noticed by the people and could be easily recognized by them. Mr. S. had a brother residing in the place, who was perfectly familiar with this work.
From New Salem, we removed to Pittsburg, Pa. Here Mr. S. found an acquaintance in Mr. Patterson, an editor of a newspaper. He exhi-bited his manuscript to Mr. P. who retained it a long time and informed Mr. S. that if he wuuld make out a title page and preface, he would pub-lish it and it might be a source of profit. This Mr. S. refused to do for reasons which I cannot now state. Sidney Rigdon, who has figured so largely in the history of the mormons, was at this time connected with the printing office. Here he had ample opportunity to become ac-quainted with Mr. Spaulding's manuscript, and to copy it if he choose. At length the manuscript was returned to its author, and soon after we re-moved to Washington co. Pa., where Mr. S. died in 1816. The manuscript then fell into my hands and was carefully preserved. After the Book of Mormon came out, a copy of it was taken to New Salem, the place of Mr. Spauldings former residence, and the very place where the 'Manuscript Found' was written. A woman preacher appointed a meeting there, and in the meeting read and repeated copious extracts from the 'Book of Mormon.' The historical part was immediately recognized by all the older inhabit-ants, as the identical work of Mr. S. Mr. John Spaulding was present, and recognized perfectly the work of his brother. He arose on the spot and expressed his deep regret, that the writings of his brother should be used for a purpose so vile. The excitement in New Salem became so great that the inhabitants had a meeting, and de-puted Dr. Philastus Hurlburt, to repair to this place and to obtain from me the original manu-script, for the purpose of comparing with the Mormon Bible, to satisfy their own minds and to prevent their friends from embracing an error so delusive. This was in the year 1834. Dr. Hurl-burt brought with him an introduction and request for the manuscript, signd by Messrs. Henry Lake, Aaron Wright and others, with all whom I was acquainted
The Rev. Dr. Ely, pastor of the Congrega-tional church in Monson and D. R. Austin, principal of Monson Academy, have given their certificates that Mrs. D. is "a woman of irre-proachable character, and that her testimony is worthy of implicit confidence."
