1857-06-01-New York Times-Mormonism in New York
Mormonism in New York
- New York Times, 1 June 1857, pg. 3, column 1
A CHANGE OF HEAD OVER THE CHURCH—CURIOUS PROCLAMATIONS—HOW THE TIDINGS OF ELDER PRATT'S DEATH ARIS RECEIVED.
- The New-York Mormon for this week is peculiarly spicy. It contains the Valedictory of President JOHN TAYLOR, who is on his way to Utah, by command of BRIGHAM YOUNG, and follows it with the Greeting of the new President, Elder APPLEBY, who gives counsel to the Saints; and then comes a fierce article on the "assassination" of Elder PRATT.
President TAYLOR was a popular gentleman in his dealings with Saints and Gentiles, of suasive manners and imposing presence. His age is about 55, and he has been a Mormon for many years; once edited a Mormon paper in Paris, and established one afterwards in London, and has published several works. Since its commencement, he has conducted the Mormon with considerable ability and tact. That paper is not remarkable for its use of elegant language on occasions when it is called to speak of attacks upon "the Church" nor is it chary of its words at any time. The flash papers can hardly match it for "strong writing." It is, however, a faithful exponent of Mormon doctrine, and goes at its work with remarkable earnestness. Its new Editor is President APPLEBY, and in his hand it will lose none of its vitriolic properties, if we may judge from a communication under the signature of that individual, in which Judge DRUMMOND is abused roundly. There must be a growth of Mormonism hereabouts, that New-York knows very little about, if its aid suffices to give life to a weekly paper like this, published in New-York, and appearing to possess the elements of a healthy existence. It is useless to deny that Mormonism is spreading, and this fact renders it an important matter to know what the leaders are devising.
In his valedictory President TAYLOR states that he arrived in this City two and a half years ago—that his object in coming was, "to build up and strengthen the scattered Saints, and to defend the people of God," by the publication of a newspaper. He has directed the emigration of foreign Mormons, setting it in the right road to Utah,—has made arrangements with railroad companies for the transit of parties of Mormons; and with the aid of President RICHARDS and ORSON PRATT, who labored to that end in Liverpool, has been enabled to effect a complete organization, order and discipline on board of emigrant vessels oontainiug Mormons. After a recital of what he and the Mormon brelhren generally have done in the space of two years and a- half, the Ex- President indulges in a bit of pleasant writing, in reference to the attacks upon the Saints. He amiably remarks:
"Our arguments and facts have only been met by a continuation of abuse, falsehood, calumny and vituperation, and no man has been found who dared to meet Mormonism fairly on its issues. We have proved over and over again by positive, uncontrovertible testimony the falsity of their statement, the inaccuracy of their information, and the worthless and unreliable character of their correspondence: like a pack of hounds they still yelp and howl without any definite object. If their pens are dipped in wormwood and gall, their mouths filled with falsehood and abuse, and their sheets teem with vituperation and calumny, it is because of their nature."
Since President TAYLOR came into office, two Mormon Conferences have been organized in New-York and Pennsylvania, each with a presiding officer, and each holding stated sessions—the plan of operations being similar to that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The conferences are free from debt, and are in a flourishing condition. The Saints in the East are happy. Their paper abuses everybody who is not a Mormon, and is read with gusto. Their book-shop, not far from the offices of all the leading dailies of the City, is thronged constantly by Saints, who drop in to get light and wisdom from headquarters, the prospect of affairs is exceedingly encouraging, and the hearts of the faithful are strengthened,—and yet President TAYLOR declares that he is glad to get away, and ?? [Line illegible] way:
"With very great pleasure we turn our back upon this Babei of confusion, corruption and abomination, and bend our steps towards the valley of the mountains, the Zion of our God, where truth reigns, where virtue is not only a name, but is in reality respected—where dwell the upright and honorable of the earth; where exist the oracles of God, and where reside an honorable family circle who, with anxious eyes and throbbing hearts, are waiting to greet us on our return."
Brother BRIGHAM, who appears to bear rule over New-York Mormonism in a fashion as autocratic as that with which he governs the faithful under his own sway, has ordered TAYLOR to put APPLEBY in his place, and accordingly Mr. GEORGE J. TAYLOR, who had been delegated to fill his father's place, is summarily ousted, and APPLEBY, who had been ordered to Utah, receives counter orders, stays here, edits the Mormon, and keeps an eye to things generally. His proclamation is published at full length. The first counsel he gives the Saints is to subscribe for the Mormon, and thea follows a homily on religious observances. APPLEBY'S title, like that of his predecessor, is "President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Eastern and Middle States." Proselytism is urged as a duty, and the Elders are commanded to preach in every place they can find, and "every night in the week if possible."
The comments of the Mormon on the death of PRATT are very characteristic. PRATT, it will be remembered, was lately shot in Arkansas by an outraged husband, whose wife the exemplary Elder had seduced, and with whose children he was making his way back to Utah. The Mormon relieves its feelings as follows:
"Many of cotemporaries are rejoicing over the bloody deed, justifying the murderer and spitting out their vengeance with the fury of hell that nestles in their corrupt hearts.
Though we deeply deplore the loss to the Church of such a great and upright tnan, and the bereavement to his family, yet we mourn not. His life has been one of honor and faithfulness; his days have been well spent in the service of his God; his name is revered by thousands and tens of thousands, and will be honored by millions yet unborn, when that of his cowardly assassin and those who have cheered him on to his damning deed, and who now rejoice over their crime, will be loathsome and a stink in the nostrils of God and good men."
This is forcible, if not elegant; but it is a very fair specimen of the performances of our interesting cotemporary.
