The Mormons and Methodists.-Rivals in the same line of business.
The comparatively recent formation of the society called "Mormons," or "Latter Day Saints," and their dreadful persecutions by those of other religions, and amongst other outrages, the massacre of their men by a mob, headed by Bogart, a Methodist parson, and others of that persuasion, induce us to review the rise and progress of these societies, their sufferings and persecutions from the bigots belonging to other religious, sects and denominations.
Although, as we stated the other day, John Wesley Game over to America to preach in 1737, yet the Me-thodist society, as that mine distinguishes the people who to this day acknowledge Mr. Wesley as their founder, under God, was, properly speaking, as a society speedily under his pastoral charge, col-lected in the year 1740, at the chapel in Moor-fields, where be preached, and where the society in-creased rapidly. For this and the societies he next formed in Bristol, Kingswood, and a few other places, he in 1743, drew up the first set of rules to regulate the members, which continue in force to the present time; and the obser-vance of which, was then, and continues to be, the condition of membership. They are so well known as to render it unnecessary to quote them. It may only be observed, that they en-join no peculiar opinions, and relate entirely to mo-ral conduct, to charitable offices, and to the ob-servance of the ordinances of God. These rules bear the signature of John and Charles Wesley.
So far, so good Whitfield was, to a great extent, associated with them; but John Wesley, becoming jealous of Whitfield's popularity, preached a violent sermon against some of Whitfield's peculiar doctrinal notions. This produced the first discord there. Soon after this, the mobs in different parts of the country took offence at the peculiar doctrines and conduct of the Wesleyans; they were denounced as heretics and fanatics, and crazy creatures, as the Mormons have been in Missouri; their places of worship were burnt and pulled down; their property plundered; their parsons were stoned, and the congregation beaten individually and collectively by different mobs. In London the rioting was tremendous, and some few lives were lost; and for a long time it was not considered safe for a Methodist to hold forth publicly. Wesley was currently charged with being a papist, as he says in his journal, and many other equally ridiculous charges as those made against the Mormons in the present day. A riot grew out of this, and all Papists were ordered, therefore, to leave London by proclamation, as the Mormons were ordered to leave Missouri, by the proclama-tion of Governor Boggs.
In June, 1742, at Epworth, in Yorkshire, a riot took place, and a wagon load of Methodists were beaten and imprisoned for fanatics and disturbers of the peace. Here the parallel again holds good as re-gards the Methodists and Mormons. At Walsall, the chief magistrate of the place led on a mob to beat Wesley and throw stones; they threw him down the steps three times, and nearly killed him, because they said he was a deluder, and disturber of the pub-lic peace. Exactly what they now say of the Mor-mons. At Sheffield he was stoned nearly to death, and an officer in the army drew his sword to run him through. The society house was pulled down, and he had to leave Sheffield. On his way to Thorpe with other preachers, a mob laid in ambush to assassinate him, but failed. And yet the effect of all this persecution was but to form new societies in the northern, midland, and western districts.
Still the mob violence increased. Other clergy-men, and magistrates, and soldiers, as in Missouri, headed the mob to maltreat them. At Wednesbury, Darlaston, and West Bromwich, they beat and vio-lated women and children in the most shameful man-ner, and destroyed their property; and at last the mob seized Wesley himself, and almost killed him. In 1743, a hot persecution, both of the preachers and people, broke forth. The preaching house at St. Ives was pulled to the ground; one of the preach-ers was impressed and sent for a soldier, as were several of the people: whilst being stoned, covered with dirt, and abused, was the treatment which many others of them met with from day to day. But not-withstanding this, they who had been eminent for hurling, fighting, drinking, and all manner of wick-edness, continued eminent for sobriety, piety and meekness. The impressment of the preachers for soldiers by the magistrates, was not, however, con-fined to Cornwall. About the same time John Nel-son and Thomas Beard were thus seized and sent for soldiers, for no other crime, either committed or pretended, than that of calling sinners to repentance. The sns ive heroism of John Nelson is well known. Thomas Beard also was "nothing terrified by his adversaries;" but his body after a while sunk under affliction. He was then lodged in the hospital of Newcastle, where he still praised God continually. His fever increasing, he was let blood: his arm fes-tered, mortified, and was cut off; two or three days after which, God signed his discharge, and called him to his eternal home.
The riots in Staffordshire, also, still continued, The mob of Walsall, Darlaston, and Wednesbury, hired for the purpose by their superiors, broke open their poor neighbor's houses at their pleasure by day and by night; extorting money from the few that had it, taking away or destroying their victuals and goods, beating and wounding their bodies, ravaging the women, and openly declaring they would de-stroy every Methodist in the country. Thus peacea-ble and loyal subjects were treated for eight months, and were then publicly branded in the Whitehall and London Evening Post, tor rioters and incendiaries! Several other instances of the brutal maltreatment of the preachers occurred in these early periods, which ended in disablement, or premature death.
Such was the progress of Methodism in its infancy, and such the sufferings its members endured; and yet at the time of Mr. Wesley's death, the number of members in connexion with him in Europe, Ame-rica and the West India Islands, was 80,000. At the conference, in 1830, the numbers returned were: In Great Britain, 249,278; in Ireland, 22,897; in fo-reign missions 41,186; total 313,360, exclusive of near half a million of persons in the societies in the states of America. As to the field of labour elsewhere the number of circuits in the United Kingdom was, at the time of his death, 115. At present they are 399. The number of mission statiowas 8 in the West Indies, and 8 in British America; at present there are 150. The number of preachers left by him was 312. It is now 993, in the United Kingdom; and 193 in the foreign missions. In the United States of America the number of preachers is about 2,000.
And now let us look at a brief detail of the mise-ries and sufferings endured by the Mormons. It is notorious that this Society commenced settling in Jackson county, Missouri, in the summer of 1831, where they, according to their ability, purchased lands and settled upon them with the intention and expectation of becoming permanent citizens in com-mon with others.
Soon after the settlement began, persecution be-gan; and as the society increased persecution also in-creased, until the society at last was compelled to leave the county. And although an account of these persecutions has been published to the world, yet we feel that it will not be improper to notice a few of the most prominent items in this affair.
On the 20th of July, 1833, a mob convened at in-dependence, a committee of which called upon a few of the men of the church there, and stated to them that the store, printing office, and indeed all other mechanic shops, mast be closed forthwith, and the society leave the county immediately. These propositions were so unexpected, that a certain time was asked for to consider on the subject before an answer should be returned, which was refused; and the men being individually interrogated, each one answered that he could not consent to comply with their propositions. One of the mob replied that he was sorry, for the work of destruction would commence immediately. In a short time, the printing office, which was a two-story brick building, was assailed by the mob, and soon thrown down, and with it much valuable proper-ty destroyed. Next they went to the store for the same purpose, but Mr. Gilbert, one of the owners, agreeing to close it, they abandoned their de-sign. Their next move was their dragging of Bishop Patridge from his house and family to the public square, where, surrounded by hundreds, they par-tially stripped him of his clothes, and tarred and fea-thered him from head to foot. A man by the name of Allan, was also tarred at the same time. This was Saturday, and the mob agreed to meet the following Tuesday, to accomplish their purpose of driving or massacring the society. Tuesday came, and the mob came also, bearing with them a red flag in to-ken of blood. Some two or three of the principal men of the society offered their lives, if that would appease the wrath of the mob, so that the rest of the society might dwell in peace upon their lands. The answer was, that unless the society would leave "en masse," every man should die for himself Being in a defenceless situation, to save a general massacre, it was agreed that one half of the society should leave the county by the first of the next January, and the remainder by the first of the following April. A treaty was entered into and ratified, and all things went on smoothly for a while. But some time in Oc-tober the wrath of the mob began again to be kindled insomuch, that they shot at some of the Mormons' whipped others, and threw down their houses, and committed many other depredations; indeed they were harrassed for some time both day and night—their houses were brickbatted and broken open-women and children insulted, &c. The store house of A. S. Gilbert ft. Co. was broken open, ransacked, and some of the goods strewed in the streets. These abuses, with many others of a very aggravated nature, so stirred up the indignant feelings of the Mormons, that a party of them, say about thirty, met a company of the mob about double their number, when a battle took place in which some two or three of the mob and one Mormon were killed. This raised, as it were, the whole county in arms, and nothing would satisfy them but an immediate surrender of the arms of the Mormons, and they forthwith to leave the county. Fifty one guns were given up, which have never been returned or paid for to this day. The next day parties of the mob, from 30 to 70, headed by priests, went from house to house, threatening women and chil-dren with death if they were not off before they re turne. This so alarmed them, that they fled in different directions; some took shelter in the woods, while others wandered in the prairies till their feet bled. In the meantime the weather being very cold, their sufferings in other respects were very great.
The society made their escape to Clay county as fast as they possibly could, where the people recieved them kindly, and administered to their wants. Af-ter the society had left Jackson county, their buildings, amounting to about two hundred, were either burned or otherwise destroyed, and much of their crop, as well as furniture, stock, etc., which, if pro-perly estimated, would make a large sum, for which they have not as yet received any remuneration. The society remained in Clay county nearly three years; when, at the suggestion of the people there, they removed to that section of the country, known now as Caldwell county. Here the people purchased out most of the former inhabitants, and also entered much of the wild land. Many soon owned a number of eighties, while there was scarcely a man that did not secure to himself at least a forty. Here they were permitted to enjoy peace for a season, but as the society increased in numbers, and settlements were made in Davies and Carroll counties, the mob spirit spread itself again. For months previous to giving up their arms to Gen. Lucas’ army, they heard little else than rumors of mobs, collecting in different places, and threatening them. It is well known that the Mormons who had located themselves at De Wit. had to give up to a mob and leave the place, notwithstanding the militia were called out for their protection. From De Wit the mob went towards Davies county, and while on their way there they took two Mormons prisoners and made them ride upon the cannon and told them that they would drive the Mormons from Davies to Caldwell, and from Cald-well to hell, and that they would give them no quarter only at the cannon's month. The threats of the mob induced some of the Mormons to go to Davies to help to protect their brethren who had settled at Diahman, on Grand river.
The mob soon fled from Davies county: and after they were dispersed and the cannon taken, during which time no blood was shed, the people of Cald-well returned to their homes in hopes of enjoying peace and quiet; but in this they were disappointed, for a large mob was soon found to be collecting on the Grindstone, from ten to fifteen miles off, under the command of C. Gillman, a scouting party of which, came within four miles of Far West, and drove off stock belonging to the Mormons, in open day light. About this time word came to Far West that a party of the mob had come into Caldwell county to the south of Far West—that they were taking horses and cattle—burning houses, and ordering the inhabitants to leave their houses immediately—and that they had then actually in their possession three men prisoners. This report readied Far West in the evening and was confirmed about midnight. A company of about sixty men went forth under the command of David W. Patten, to disperse the mob, as they supposed. A battle was the result, in which Captain Patten and two of his men were killed, and others wounded. Bogart, it appears, had but one killed and others wounded. Notwithstanding the unlawful acts com-mitted by Captain Bogart's men previous to the battle, it is now asserted and claimed that he was re-gularly ordered out as a militia captain, to preserve the peace along the line of Ray and Caldwell coun-ties. That battle was fought four or five days pre-vious to the arrival of Gen. Lucas and his army. About the time of the battle with Captain Bogart, a number of Mormons who were living near Hone's mill, on Shoal Creek, about twenty miles below. Far West, together with a number of emigrants who had been stopped there in consequence of the ex-citement, made an agreement with the mob which was about there, that neither party would molest the other, but dwell in peace. Shortly after this agreement was made, a mob party of from two to three hundred, many of whom: are supposed to be from Chariton county, some from Davies, and also those who had agreed to dwell in peace came upon the Mormons there, whose number in men was about forty, at a time they little expected any such thing, and without any ceremony, notwithstanding they begged for quarters, shot them down as they would tigers or panthers. Some few made their escape by fleeing. Eighteen were killed, and a number more severely wounded. The particulars of this we have already given.
When Gen. Lucas arrived near Far West, and pre-sented the governor's order, they were greatly sur-prised; yet they felt willing to submit to the author-ities of the state. They gave up their arms without reluctance, and were then made prisoners, and con-fined to the limits of the town for about a week; du-ring which time the men from the country were not permitted to go to their families, many of whom were, in a suffering condition for the want of food and fire-wood, the weather being very cold and stormy. Much property was destroyed by the troops in town duriug their stay there: such as burning house-logs, rails, corn-cribs, boards, &c.; the using of corn and hay, the plundering of houses, the killing of cattle, sheep, and hogs, and also the taking of horses not their own—and all this without regard to owners, or, asking leave of any one. In the mean time, men were abused, women insulted and abused by the troops-and all this while they were kept prisoners. Whilst the town was guarded, they were called together by the order of Gen. Lucas, and a guard placed close around them; and, in that situation, were compelled to sign a deed of trust, for the purpose of making their individual property all holden, as they said, to pay all the debts of every individual belonging to the church, and also to pay "for all dama-ges the old inhabitants of Davies, may have sustained in consequence of the late difficulties in that county.
General Clark at last arrived, and the first im-portant move made by him was the collecting of their men together on the square, and selecting out about fifty of them, whom he immediately marched into a house, and confined close. This was done without the aid of the sheriff, or any legal process. The next day, forty-six of those taken were driven, like a parcel of menial slaves, off to Richmond, not knowing why they were taken, or what they were taken for. And to wind up this bloody, tragedy, the balance of the Mormons were driven, from the State in the dead of winter, in consequence of which many died; Gov. Boggs’s order being that they must leave the State of Missouri or be exterminated. Under these circumstances they reached Illinois, where they now remain.
Such is a brief sketch of the rise and progress of persections of the Mormons and Methodists. We see what has been the result of the persecution of the Methodists, and from this we may learn what, will be the result of the Mormon persecution. For every Mormon killed, 100 or 1000 will rise up to take their place. No matter whether they are right or wrong in religious matters; the natural effect of persecution is to increase the power of the persecuted at least one hundred fold. As to the extravagancies imputed to the Mormons, we have heard quite as bad imputed to the Methodists; a thousand instances may be named, but one will suffice:
Mr. Whitefield having advertised himself to preach at Gog-Magog-Hill, many thousand people collected together from many miles round. While he was preaching, he was elevated on the highest ground, and his audience stood all round on the declivity during his sermon, a young countrywoman, who had come miles to hear him, and waited several hours, being very faint, owing to the violated heat of the sun the breaths of the multitude, as well as the want of re freshment; and it is very likely much agitated in her mind by the extraordinary doctrines of the preacher, she fell backwards just under the orator, and there lay kicking up her heels. On seeing the poor girl lie in a kind of convulsion, some of the company moved to assist her, and the women began to draw down her apron and petticoats over her feet; but Mr. Whit-field cried out, "Let her alone! let her alone! A glorious sight! a glorious sight” No doubt the holy man meant that it was a glorious sight to see a sinner fall before the power of the word; but the young college bucks and wits construed his meaning differently, and put the audience into such immoderate fits of laughter, that even Mr. Whitfield's utmost efforts were not able to restore their gravity, but he was obliged to dismiss his congregation abruptly.
For a long time after this happened, the Cantabs, as they reeled homewards in the night-time, disturb-ed the sober inhabitants, by loudly exclaiming, “A glorious sight! a glorious sight! as Dr. Squintum ays. This partakes something of the folly of Matthias hilst poor Pearson was dying. Let us hear no more, then, of persecution for opinion's sake but, let each take the mote out of his own eye, before he attempts to remove the beam from his brother's.
