"The Many Wives of Utah."
Lecture by Dr. Newman.
Last evening the Rev. Dr. J. P. Newman, of Washington, delivered a lecture, entitled "The many wives of Utah", in the Howard Presbyterian Church. The audience numbered about four hundred, and was composed of a large proportion of ladies. Dr. Newman recently, at Salt Lake City, discussed the question whether the Bible sanctions Polygamy or not, and the lecture last evening consisted of the principal arguments used on that occasion, by the Reverend Doctor. The title of the lecture did not, therefore, convey a correct idea of what the discourse was to consist. Nothing, whatever, was said of "the many wives of Utah" or of what the lecturer saw, heard or did among the Mormons. The sole question discussed was—does the Bible sanction polygamy? The lecturer with much fairness stated at length the passages, which the Mormons rely upon, and then proceeded, to answer them seriatim. He claimed, that, whilst the Bible in no part gave express authority for the practice of authority it did in more places than one enjoin, in explicit terms that a man should have but one wife. The Mormons claimed that the practice of certain prominent Biblical characters showed that their conduct met with divine approval. The lecturer denied this. In no part of the Bible could it be shown that by implication, much less by express words, had divine approbation been accorded to a polygamic marriage. During the forty years wanderings of the Jews in the wilderness, although they numbered two and a half millions, only one instance of a polygamic marriage was on record, showing conclusively that they believed monotony to be in accordance with the divine will. Though Solomon practiced polygamy, the tendancy of all his writings was strongly the other way. David repented of his evil course, and put away his wives. Jacob gave up all to cleave to his well beloved Rachel. Then the greatest of Biblical characters were monogamists, to wit: Noah, Enoch, Job, Moses, Isaac, Joshua, and a long line of illustrious prophets.
A marked feature of the lecture was the plain terms in which the subject was treated, the assembly being a mixed one, it would be impossible in these columns to give the quotations and follow the language of the reverend gentleman, so as to do justice to his argument. The lecture occupied one hour and a half in its delivery, and was attentively listened to.
Dr. Sunderland, at the conclusion of the lecture, stated that Mr. Sherman, editor of the Salt Lake Tribune, was now in thin city. Mr. Sherman was doing a good work in Utah, and he hoped the people of San Francisco would help him by subscribing to his paper.
