1839-12-21-New York Herald-Mormon Meetings

Mormon Meetings

Source: New York Herald, 21 December 1839, Issue 188, col. A

Mormon Meetings

Mormon Meetings.—Nothing daunted of discouraged by the disastrous reverses they have met with, the Mormons have gathered a small band of disciples in this city, and are daily adding to their numbers. They have had several meetings with a view to excite public sympathy, and have collected a considerable amount of money—not the least important part of the religious ceremonies of all sects and creeds.

The Mormons are determined not to leave a stone unturned to advance their doctrines and extend the number of their followers. They have hired Columbian Hall, in Grand street, where one of their "latter day saints" holds forth every Sunday and Wednesday evening. In the sermon he delivered at this place last Wednesday, he stated that there was no doubt all religions at present existing, except that of the Mormons, were erroneous, and cited Scripture to prove it. He assured his hearers that the day of judgment was close at hand, that vengeance would be inflicted on all sinners, unless they were to flee to cities of refuge. With that view, he said the Mormons had bought lands in the West, and were about to build such cities for sinners.

He also added that during the past summer they purchased a large tract of land at the head of the Des Moines rapids of the Mississippi, on both sides of the river, including the town of Commerce.—The town plat of Commerce was purchased of Dr. Garland. Other purchases were made adjoining until the quantity amounted to about 900 acres.—From Dr. G. was purchased also 20,000 acres in the half breed reservation, lying opposite, and including the town of Montrose, formerly Fort Des Moines. The whole purchase money amonts to 70,000 dollars, a large portion of it on long payments. The name of Commerce has been changed to Nauvoo, (from the Hebrew of Egyptian,) and the lots all laid off anew into three or more classes. Each lot is a block, and contains (including the ground allotted for streets) one acre. The prices are graded according to the class of lots—the first class being about 800 dollars. Nauvoo has been chosen by the church at a late conference, as one of the points of gathering for the church in the latter days. Large accessions have been made to the number of the society during the past fall, embracing many families of great respectability and influence in Adams, Hancock and McDonough counties. Several branches of the church have been established in those counties, and the society is represented as having never been more prosperous, or as indulging brighter hopes than at present.

He further stated that Joe Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Judge Higbee, were gone to Washington to induce Congress to give them relief, in relation to the Missouri outrages, and to support them in the peaceable preaching and diffusion of their doctrine. He added that Mormon doctrines were the only true ones; that they had printed books to sell at 25 cents per copy, explaining their principles. And in conclusion, he said, that the sisters would sing a hymn and the brothers take up a collection; at this most of the strangers cleared out and left the brothers and sisters "alone in their glory."