1844-11-18-New York Herald-Mormon Faith—Elder Sidney Rigdons Lecture Yesterday

Mormon Faith—-Elder Sidney Rigdon's Lecture Yesterday

New York Herald, 18 November 1844, Issue 319, col D

New York Weekly Herald, 23 November 1844; pg. 370; Issue 47; col E

Mormon Faith—-Elder Sidney Rigdon's Lecture Yesterday--What God Can and Cannot Create--Love, the true Heaven, both Here and Hereafter.

The rejected Elder of the Mormons of Nauvoo, once one of their most powerful leaders, has been for the past week in this city and neighborhood, giving lectures on the Mormon faith, with the object of getting up a church and sect entirely on his own hook. The place appointed for the delivery of his lecture yesterday was the large room of the "Deutsches Bierhouse," at the junction of Houston and First streets, near avenue A, where the Native American party of the 17th ward have of late held their meetings, and where many Germans resident in the neighborhood frequently assemble to have their singing parties. The emblems of the other different occupants of the room hung around, and gave it a somewhat singular or unusual appearance for a place of worship. About the time mentioned for the delivery of the lecture, half-past ten o'clock, there were assembled three old ladies, two younger ones, three little girls, ten male adults, and one little boy; these were afterwards increased by about as many more at the close of the service. It was near upon eleven o'clock ere the Elder, accompanied by a friend, made his appearance. He is a tall, stout, elderly, gentlemanly looking man, apparently about sixty years of age, hollow mouthed, having lost his front teeth. His delivery is rather indistinct and low, and very rapid; at other times quite as loud, raising his voice to the highest pitch. He is evidently a person but of limited education, one at least that despises the common form by which such as this is generally denoted; very disjointed in his matter, so as almost to defy knowing what particular object his subject had reference to. He used his left hand as if he was puping violently, every now and then assisting with the right; and hitting the desk so violently with one or both as to make everything on it spring upwards to a considerable height, and keeping those near him from napping if inclined.

Having mounted the rostrum at the lower end of the room, in company with the person with whom he entered, and another, the latter read a hymn in such a style, that it sounded as if he was on horsebeck, going at an ambling pace; this was sung to one of those tunes which was so popular among the different political parties during the recent election in this city, principally by the Elder's companion, who made up for any want of sweetness of voice by strength of lungs. This was succeeded by a brief rambling extemporaneous prayer by the same person, chiefly consisting of various texts of scripture, dovetailed into one another, in many instances, not with the best possible taste or judgement.

After this, Elder Rigdon stood up and announced that the subject of his address would be found as follows:--

"And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father, Abraham, which he ahd, being yet uncircumcised." &c. Rom. v. 12-25, included.

There never was before or since the days of St. Paul a person so amply able to discuss the great and important principles laid down in the words just read, as St. Paul himself. There was never a man of such extensive knowledge, familiar with all the subjects which was necessary to have a correct view of the religion of heaven; or one that could so well imprint this knowledge on the mind of his fellow man. …

[bulk of the discourse ommitted]

… I fear I have occupied your time too long, and have only just entered upon the subject. I know not what is the usual time of your service, but I feel I have said enough on the present occasion. It woudl take me a month to go through the whole of the points I have alluded to. The gentleman then sat down, evidently fatigued with his exertions.

The plate was then sent around, and some 20 or 30 cents appeared to be gathered; a hymn or song was then sung in a similar style to the former; a short prayer or benediction delivered in a style that almost defied understanding a single word of it; and the congregation then dispersed.