1842-09-04-New York Herald-Anti-Mormon Lecture
ANTI-MORMON LECTURE
New York Herald
4 September 1842
ANTI-MORMON LECTURE.
The Secret Wife System at Nauvoo, as described by Gen. J. C. Bennett:
On Friday evening the large church at the corner of Chrystie and Delancy streets, was crowded with one of the most motley assemblages of male bipeds that ever before congregated within its walls, all anxious to hear about the secret wive system as practised at the holy city of Nauvoo.
At half-past 7 o'clock, Mr. Origin Bachelor arose and stated that he had been requested by Gen. Bennett to take part in the discussion, but he should merely make a few remarks for the purpose of showing that sects had sprung up in different ages of the world, professing to be Christian, who had practised the worst features of the Mormon system, for the purpose of showing the probability that something similar may even now exist. Mr. B. then read from Buck's Theological Dictionary extracts sustaining his views.
Gen. J. C. BENNETT then rose, and was greeted with a round of applause. He said he had intended to have proceeded at once with his description of the Seraglio that existed in the city of Nauvoo under the auspices of the holy Pope, Joe Smith, but other matters had occurred to change his purpose. His life was sought by the Mormons, not because he was opposed to their doctrines, but because he knew of certain matters and things connected with the attempted assassination of Ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri. He then spoke of the attempted assassination of himself on the 29th of May, and his being followed from town to town in the west, and continued, "On the 31st of August, the Captain-General of the Danite band, and five more of his band were arrived here, and their secret plans to assassinate me was overheard by some citizens of this place, who will make oath to it. Lest I should be assassinated I will state some of the proofs I have on the subject of the attempted assassination of [Lilburne] W. Boggs, hoping some Missourian may be present to hear them." Gen. Bennett then proceeded to give a portion of the proofs in his possession, pointing out O. P. Rockwell as the assassin, and the Prophet Joseph Smith as an accessary before and after the fact. * * * "I will give you a history of a few females of the House of Israel, before I go on with the Seraglio. First is the widow Fuller, now Mr. Warren; she is a luscious woman, with a good head, amativeness at eleven, the same size as Joe's. * * * In 1841, I saw the holy Joe in bed with the widow Fuller, as testified to in the affidavit of Mrs. Shindle, which has been published in the Herald and other papers -- it is very rich -- he attempted Mrs. Shindle, but couldn't come it -- she told him to go over to the widow, it was better picking."
"Miss Matilda Nyman is one of the wild Cyprian saints in the land of Ham; she is tender hearted, affectionate, and kind. * * * Joe was touched with her infirmaties, * * * but the waters of the Red Sea can wash clean from all impurity."
"Margaret Nyman, the nymph of the cloistered sisters of consecration, whose is one of the most chaste of the saints, she is chaste in the harem -- she is chaste -- c-h-a-s-e-d, I mean, every where. * * * The Prophet Joe wished to keep her as a recluse for his own private benefit, but the organ of amativeness was too large, she delighted to live in tall clover. * * * The following is a part of her examination before the Holy Inquisition: --
Inquisitor. -- Margaret, the Lord has revealed that you have been guilty of illicit intercourse with men; confess, and your fault shall be forgiven; if not, God's curse will fall upon you. Margaret -- I will confess, I am young and once was innocent, but...
Inq. -- Who was the first man deprived you of your virtue? Mar. -- Mr. W____ Inq. -- How came you to yield? Mar. -- He said Joseph approved of it, and I yielded * * * Inq. -- Any others? Mar. -- Yes Inq. -- Give the next name. Mar. -- You must excuse me. Inq. -- If you do not, you will be cut off from the Church. Mar. -- Mr. B_____. Inq. -- Did he urge the same doctrine? Mar. -- No. Inq. -- How did he accomplish his purpose? Mar. -- We just went at it and asked no questions, for Joseph had approved it. Inq. -- Is there any other? Mar. -- Yes. Inq. -- Name him. Mar. -- It is not necessary, I am under a covenant. Inq. -- You must answer. Joseph directed us to absolve all covenants. Mar. -- I would rather defer it until I can consult the person. Inq. -- Joseph knows all about it, it has been revealed to him by God, and if you do not reveal it, the curse will fall on you; you must tell. Mar. -- It was Joseph. Inq. -- Stand aside, you need not tell that....
The widow Fuller confessed to forty men and beasts, and said she believed Joseph was as pure as the sucking babe.
The widow Miller, amativeness large. (Here followed her examination before the inquisition, similar to the above. She also, was absolved from the covenant, and mentioned the name of Joseph. The Inquisitor said "Stop, -- Joseph is pure and free from sin." "I know," said the widow, "Joseph is pure and free from sin, and only does it to show he is a man as well as a prophet, and to try the faith of the saints.")
The Inquisition. -- The male department consists of the High Council, the President of the Stake of Zion, and twelve priests -- fifteen in all. The female department, of the Lady Emma (Joe's wife) and twelve members of the Relief Society. * * * This inquisition has power to bind or loose, put up or put down, or destroy any person or thing, from the Lord, and has two hundred Danites to enforce its decrees. Their doctrine is that the Prophet can do no wrong....
The Seraglio. -- The Mormon Seraglio, or female lodge, is composed of three degrees or orders. First the Cyprian Saints; second the Chamber of the Sisters of Charity; third, the Cloistered Consecrated Saints.
The first, the wild Cyprian Saints, as I call them, are such females as are suspected to be of easy virtue by the Sisters of Relief, who have them brought before the Inquisition, unless the Prophet receives them for himself, and are called Cyprian Saints; take the white veil, and are excluded from the Consecratees of the Relief Society, who publish their shame privately, and they become an easy prey to Saints and Gentiles. * * * They are sought by the Edlers and Priests, whose passions are dark, sensual, devilish.
Second, the Sisters of the Chamber of Charity. This class are females, married or single, who act on the permission of the Prophet, without private marriage. When one of the wild male saints sees a female he fancies, he goes to Joe, and requests him to ask her of the Lord for him, and the answer is always favorable, unless the White Hat Prophet wants her himself, and they are enjoined that it must be kept secret from the Gentiles. They are in favor of the Lord and his Prophet, and all Israel. * * * The chamber is much larger than the Cyprians; they wear the green veil, and are obedient to the faith as taught by the Prophet. If the Prophet does not wish to monopolize any of them, they are turned over to high priests, elders, &c. ...
Third -- The Consecrates of the cloister -- are set apart to particular individuals by the command of God through his Prophet. They take the black veil and are the most honorable -- the highest order in the harem. When a high priest or scribe conceives a desire for a woman, and she reciprocates, he requires the Prophet to inquire of the Lord if it shall be consummated, which it always is, unless it interfers with the Prophet. They are consecrated by Joe, at the altar, kneeling, who says, "Separately and jointly, before Jesus Christ and the holy priesthood, do you agree to keep this form secret, so that the Gentiles shall not know it, your lives to be the forfeit. * * * I now consecrate and set you apart as man and wife, and you now agree to love and cherish each other and serve God. * * * I consecrate you with the holy oil, in the bame of Jesus Christ and his Holy Priesthood." * * * He pronunces blessings from heaven, and invests them with the blessings of Jacob, -- they rise and embrace, and are covered with a veil, receive an injunction from the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are parted and leave the cloister. * * *
