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| Source document in Mormon Publications: 19th and 20th Centuries online archive: Times and Seasons Vol. 5 |
| TIMES AND SEASONS | ||
| "TRUTH WILL PREVAIL" | ||
| Volume V. No. 4.] | CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. MARCH 1, 1844 | [Whole No. 89. |
HISTORY OF Joseph Smith.
(Continued)
The first Sabbath after our arrival in Jackson county, brother W. W. Phelps preached to a western audience, over the boundary of the United States, wherein were specimens of 'all the families of the earth, for there were several of the indians, quite a respectable number of negroes, and the balance was made of citizens of the surrounding counties, and fully represented themselves as pioneers of the west. At this meeting two were baptized who had previously believed in the fulness [fullness] of the gospel. During this week the Colesville branch referred to in the latter part of the last revelation, and Sidney Rigdon and wife, and elders Morley and Booth arrived: and I also received the following
Revelation given in Zion, August, 1831.
Hearken O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning this land unto which I have sent you: for verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation cometh blessings. For after much tribulation cometh the blessings. Wherefore, the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory, the hour is not yet but is nigh at hand.
Remember this which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which shall follow. Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come; and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand; and also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor; yea a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail; yea a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared unto which all nations shall be invited. Firstly the rich, and the learned, the wise and the noble; and after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come. Behold I the Lord have spoken it.
And that the testimony might go forth from Zion; yea from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God: yea, for this cause I have sent you hither; and have selected my servant Edward Partridge and have appointed unto him his mission in this land: but if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall. Behold his mission is given unto him and it shall not be given again. And whoso standeth in this mission, is appointed to be a judge in Israel, like as it was in ancient days, to divide the lands if the heritage of God unto his children; and to judge his people by the testimony of the just, and by the assistance of his counsellors [counselors], according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the prophets of God: for verily I say unto you, my laws shall be kept on this land.
Let no man think that he is ruler but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the council of his own will: or in other words, him that counselleth, or sitteth upon the judgement [judgment] seat. Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God, hath no need to break the laws of the land: wherefore be subject to the powers that be, until He reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet. Behold the laws which ye have received from my hand, are the laws of the church; and in this light ye shall hold them forth. Behold here is wisdom.
And now as I spake concerning my servant Edward Partridge: this land is the land of his residence, and those whom he has appointed for his counsellors [counselors]. And also the land of the residence of him whom I have appointed to keep my storehouse: wherefore let them bring their families to this land, as they shall counsel between themselves and me: for behold it is not meet that I should command on all things, for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant: wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own-free will, and bring to pass much righteousness: for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in no wise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful
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heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness. the same is damned. Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments? Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and not fulfilled? I command and a man obeys not, I revoke and they receive not the blessing:-then they say in their hearts, this is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled.-But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above.
And now I give unto you further directions concerning this land. It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an example unto the church, in laying his moneys before the bishop of the church. And also this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land, to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as the law directs. And it is wisdom also, that there should be lands purchased in Independence, for the place of the storehouse: and also for the house of the printing.
And other directions, concerning my servant Martin Harris, shall be given him of the spirit, that he may receive his inheritance as seemeth him good. And let him repent of his sins, for he seeketh the praise of the world.
And also let my servant William W. Phelps stand in the office which I have appointed him, and receive his inheritance in the land.-And also, he hath need to repent, for I the Lord am not well pleased with him, for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me. Behold he who has repented of his sins the same is forgiven, and I the Lord remembereth them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins. Behold he will confess them and forsake them. And now verily I say, concerning the residue of the elders of my church, the time has not yet come for many years, for them to receive their inheritance in this land; except they desire it through the prayer of faith, only as it shall be appointed unto them of the Lord. For behold they shall push the people together from the ends of the earth: wherefore assemble yourselves together, and they who are not appointed to stay in this land, let them preach the gospel in the regions round about; and after that, let them return to their homes. Let them preach by the way, and bear testimony of the truth in all places, and call upon the rich, the high, and the low, and the poor to repent; and let them build up churches inasmuch as the inhabitants of the earth will repent.
And let there be an agent appointed by the voice of the church, unto the church in Ohio, to receive monies [moneys] to purchase lands in Zion.
And I give unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, a commandment, that he shall write a description of the land of Zion, and a statement of the will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit, unto him; and an epistle and subscription, to be presented unto all the churches, to obtain moneys, to be put into the hands of the Bishop, to purchase lands for an inheritance for the children of God, of himself or the agent, as seemeth him good, or as he shall direct. For behold, verily I say unto you, the Lord willeth that the disciples, and the children of men, should open their hearts even to purchase this whole region of country, as soon as time will permit. Behold here is wisdom; let them do this lest they receive none inheritance, save it be by the shedding of blood.
And again, inasmuch as there is land obtained, let there be workmen sent forth, of all kinds, unto this land, to labor for the saints of God. Let all these things be done in order.-And let the privileges of the lands be made known from time to time, by the bishop, or the agent of the church. And let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor by flight, but let it be done as it shall be counselled [counseled] by the elders of the church at the conferences, according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time.
And let my servant Sidney Rigdon consecrate and dedicate this land, and the spot of the temple, unto the Lord. And let a conference meeting be called, and after that, let my servant Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, jr. return, and also Oliver Cowdry [Cowdery] with them, to accomplish the residue of the work, which I have appointed unto them in their own land; and the residue shall be ruled by the conferences.
And let no man return from this land, except he bear record by the way, of that which he knows and most assuredly believes. Let that which has been bestowed upon Ziba Peterson, be taken from him: and let him stand as a member in the church, and labor with his own hands, with the brethren, until he is sufficiently chastened for all his sins, for he confesseth them not, and he thinketh to hide them.
Let the residue of the elders of this church, who are coming to this land, some of whom are exceedingly blessed even above measure, also, hold a conference upon this land. And let my servant Edward Partridge direct the conference, which shall be held by them. And let them also return, preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of the things which are revealed unto them: for verily the sound must go forth from this place into all the world: and unto the uttermost parts of the earth, the gospel
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must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe. And behold the Son of Man cometh: Amen.
On the second day of August, I assisted the Colesville branch of the church to lay the first log, for a house, as a foundation for Zion in Kaw township, twelve miles west of Independence. The log was carried and placed by twelve men, in honor of the twelve tribes of Israel . At the same time, through prayer, the land of Zion was consecrated and dedicated for the gathering of the saints, by elder Rigdon: and it was a season of joy to those present, and afforded a glimpse of the future, which time will yet unfold to the satisfaction of the faithful. As we had received a commandment for elder Rigdon to write a description of the land of Zion, we sought for all the information necessary to accomplish so desirable an object.-Unlike the timbered states in the east, except upon the rivers and watercourses; which were verdantly dotted with trees from one to three miles wide, as far as the eye can glance. The beautiful rolling prairies lay spread around like a sea of meadows. The timber is a mixture of oak, hickory, black walnut, elm, cherry, honey locus, [honey locust] mulberry, coffee bean, hackburry, [hack berry], box elder and bass wood, together with the addition of cotton wood, button wood, pecon [pecan], soft and hard maple, upon the bottoms. The shrubbery was beautiful; and consisted in part of plums, grapes, crab apples, and parsimmons [persimmons]. The prairies were decorated with a growth of flowers that seemed as gorgeous and grand as the brilliancy of stars in the heavens, and exceed description. The soil is rich and fertile; from three to ten feet deep, and generally composed of a rich black mould, intermingled with clay and sand. It produces in abundance, wheat, corn, and many other commodities, together with sweet potatoes and cotton. Horses, cattle and hogs, though of an inferior breed, are tolerable plenty, and seem nearly to raise themselves by grazing in the vast prairie range in summer, and feeding upon the bottoms in winter. The wild game is less plenty where man has commenced the cultivation of the soil, than it is a little distance further in the wild prairies. Buffaloe, [buffalo] elk, deer, bear, wolves, beaver, and many lesser animals roam at pleasure. Turkies, [turkeys] geese, swans, ducks, yea a variety of the feathered race are among the rich abundance that graces the delightful regions of this goodly land of the heritage of the children of God. Nothing is more fruitful, or a richer stockholder in the blooming prairies, than the honey bee; honey is but about twenty-five cents per gallon.
The season is mild and delightful nearly three quarters of the year, and as the land of Zion, situated at about equal distances from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as from the Alleghany [Allegheny] and Rocky mountains, in the thirty-ninth degree of north latitude, and between the tenth and seventeenth degrees of west longitude. It bids fair to become one of the most blessed places on the globe, when the curse is taken from the land, if not before. The winters are milder than in the Atlantic states, of the same parallel of latitude; and the weather is more agreeable, so that were the virtues of the inhabitants only equal to the blessings of the Lord, which he permits to crown the industry and efforts of those inhabitants; there would be a measure of the good things of life: for the benefit of the saints, full, pressed down and running over, even an hundredfold. The disadvantages here, like all new counties are self-evident, lack of mills and schools, together with the natural privations and inconveniences, which the hand of industry, and the refinement, of society with the polish of science overcome. But all these impediments vanished, when it is recollected that the prophets have said concerning Zion in the last days: how the glory of Lebanon is to come upon her; the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of his sanctuary, that he may make the place of his feet glorious, where for brass he will bring gold, and for iron he will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron; and where the feast of fat things will be given to the just; yea, when the splendor of the Lord is brought to one consideration, for the good of his people: the calculations of men and the vain glory of the world vanishes; and we exclaim: God will shine-the perfection of beauty out of Zion.
On the third day of August, the spot for the Temple, a little west of Independence, was dedicated in presence of eight men, among whom were myself, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and Joseph Coe. The 87th Psalm was read, and the scene was solemn and impressive. On the 4th I attended the first conference in the land of Zion. It was held at the house of brother Joshua Lewis, in Kaw township, in presence of the Colesville branch of the church. The spirit of the Lord was there. On the 7th I attended the funeral of sister Poly Knight, the wife of Joseph Knight, Sen. This was the first death in the church in this land, and I can say a worthy member sleeps in Jesus till the resurrection.-I also received the following
Revelation given in Zion, August, 1831.
Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who
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have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments: for them that live shall inherit the earth, and them that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them, and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them; Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel, for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth; and it shall bring forth in its strength: and they shall also be crowned with blessings from above; yea and with commandments not a few; and with revelations in their time: they that are faithful and diligent before me.
Wherefore I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength: and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Thou shalt not steal. Neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do any thing like unto it. Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness; even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; for verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High; nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days, and at all times; but remember that on this, the Lord's day, thou shalt offer thine oblations, and thy sacraments, unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.
And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart, that thy fasting may be perfect, or in other words, that thy joy may be full. Verily this is fasting and prayer; or, in other words, rejoicing and prayer.
And inasmuch as ye do these things, with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances; not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance; verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this the fulness [fullness] of the earth is yours; the beasts of the fields, and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees, and walketh upon the earth; yea, and the herb, and the good things which cometh of the earth, whether for food or raiment, or for houses or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards: yea, all things which cometh of the earth, in the season thereof, is made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye, and to gladden the heart: yea, for food and raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body, and to enliven the soul.
And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man: for unto this end were they made, to be used with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion: and in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. Behold this is according to the laws and the prophets: wherefore trouble me no more concerning this matter, but learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness, shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. I the Lord have spoken it and the spirit beareth record: Amen.
On the 8th, as there had been some inquiry among the elders what they were to do, I received the following
Revelation given August, 1831.
Behold thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came. Behold it pleaseth me, that you have come hither; but with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such for mine anger is kindled against them.
And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have, for I the Lord ruleth in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God. But verily I will speak unto you concerning your journey unto the land from whence you came. Let there be a craft made, or bought, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me, and take your journey speedily for the place which is called St. Louis. And from thence let my servants Sidney Rigdon, and Joseph Smith, jr. and Oliver Cowdry [Cowdery], take their journey for Cincinnati: and in this place let them lift up their voice, and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you.
And let the residue take their journey from St. Louis, two by two, and preach the word, not in haste, among the congregations of the wicked, until they return to the churches from whence they came. And all this for the good of the churches; for this intent I have sent them. And let my servant Edward Partridge impart of the money which I have given him,
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a portion unto mine elders, who are commanded to return; and he that is able, let him return it by the way of the agent, and he that is not, of him it is not required. And now I speak of the residue who are to come unto this land. Behold they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked: wherefore, I give unto them a commandment thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time: neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known.
And after thou hast come up unto the land of Zion, and hast proclaimed my word, thou shalt speedily return proclaiming my word among the congregations of the wicked. Not in haste, neither in wrath nor with strife: and shake off the dust of thy feet against those who receive thee not, not in their presence, lest thou provoke them, but in secret, and wash thy feet as a testimony against them in the day of judgment. Behold this is sufficient for you, and by the mouth of my servant Joseph Smith, jr. it shall be mode [made] known concerning Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdry [Cowdery], the residue hereafter; even so: Amen.
TO PARENTS.
There is no parent possessing even good moral feelings, who does not desire to see his children become good, great, and useful in society; and admitting the position that the better children are trained or brought up, the more interesting they are, and the more useful they are prepared to be in their sphere of action through life, the parent has liberal ground to hope for the consummation of an object so desirable. The minds of children are susceptible of cultivation, not only for the growth, but also for change, or improvement of the will or disposition, if needful; and every mother and father of children, and especially the "Saints" may be able to judge by the common results of the works of mankind, and to understand by divine revelation and experience, what general habits or ideas should be found, or instilled into the minds of their children, that they may be inclined to lead an honorable and useful life; and few, if any who have the care of children, can, with all the vocabulary of information before them that history, divine revelation, and experience has spread over the world, be ignorant of the responsibility that rests upon them to train up their children in the way they should go. Children are not accountable for the deeds of their parents; but if through neglect, or example, they are encouraged in vice, they will grow up, perhaps to pierce the heart of the heedless father and care worn mother, with shame; and bring their grey [gray] hairs down with sorrow to the grave; for the child becomes, perhaps a vagabond, to regale himself upon the sneers and universal disgust of a virtuous community, until he finds a pauper's end; or a criminal, to atone under the penalty of his country's laws for the work of his guilty hands; or a tyrant in power, to make the people mourn under the dread sway of his scepter, in the cruel exercise of the poisonous principles that were fostered in his heart while dandling upon his mother's lap, or sporting in wanton strife under a father's heedless eye.
Thousands are brought to these varying and disgraceful points of character, with all their attendant train of evils, where the very essence and power thereof is first planted, or suffered to grow in the mind of the offspring, through the neglect or example of the parent, until the current becomes of such force and magnitude as to defy the power of human skill to prevent its desoluting [desolating] march.
But, is there no remedy for these things? If, then, we hope or look for a remedy, where shall we go? Surely to the parent; to the tribunal where all the inflictions of the human mind can be corrected while it is in the milk of formation, and weighed while in the mould of habit; for
"Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."
So early habits lead the human mind.
Could parents only appreciate the ceaseless round of good that would result from the proper cultivation of the human mind while in the infant or juvenile state, the grand bane of virtue and happiness, the web of fashion and indifference, is probably not so perfectly interwoven with all sense of the duty and privileges of our race, as to cause them to forego the use of any lawful means for the consequent prevention of an almost incalculable amount of shame and needless suffering. But even while in consideration of so desirable an object as the universal honor and happiness of mankind, the necessity of the proper cultivation of the youthful mind is admitted. It would be to organize a complete system to apply successively, as the rule of in all particular cases in the government of children; for as children differ in temper or turn of mind, so must the rule or particular mode of government differ also. Nevertheless, there are some general rules that will apply in all cases; and such was the apostle Paul's manner of instruction to parents; hence he says: "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged." This rule will in the government of all children, and accordingly, no child should be punished for a crime, until
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he is first made sensible that he has done wrong, otherwise he will be angry, believing he has been punished without a just cause, and if such a course should be persisted in, the child would soon become discouraged, or weary of trying to please or obey, or even resort to deceit and treachery, to revenge or shun his parent's power. In order to avoid this and other difficulties, the parent should never suffer himself on any occasion, however trifling or however important, to deceive or lie to his children. This rule, although it is almost universally violated, can easily and reasonably be pursued, for there is no occasion wherein falsehood or deception is needful to make any requisition or permission profitable for children; and it will be found much easier to amuse and please them without the use of any false means whatever; in fact, this is the only way by which children can be made always to delight in your voice and presence, or in your precept and example; and there is no danger of the discouragement or anger of your children, under your corrections or requirements, if they find that they always meet with truth in your words, and justice in your conduct towards them, but on the contrary will consider themselves in the violation of your orders, and worthy to be punished accordingly. This is a just principle, and children are not so ignorant of the nature of right and wrong, as to confide in those who trifle with them, or lean upon the arm that deceives them, but will struggle to the extent of their knowledge and power to be free from such influences.
HEMONI.
(To be Continued.)
THE GIPSIES [GYPSIES]-WHO ARE THEY?
The following extracts are taken from a long article in the London Christian Examiner, written by a gentlemen [gentleman] of great literary research. Whoever has read Borrow's Bible in Spain will at once recognize the character of Gipsies [Gypsies], Gritanas, or Rhomas-all of which are synonymous terms:
"And whom have we seen, with the mark of a fugitive imprinted on his brow? yes, with that more infamous brand-mark of a vagabond also; but one who strongly resembles, while yet he wildly differs from the descendant of the patriarch Judah? He who has traveled on the continent of Europe, has met with him in every European land. He who has visited Asia has met with him there. And what British, or Scotish, [Scottish] or Welsh, or Irish child, knows not the swarthy hue, remembers nor the dark and piercing eye of the ever restless, wandering tribes of the Gritana, or as they are called in this country the Gipsey [gypsy] race?-a race whose origin none can tell you, and of which none are more ignorant than themselves. Ask them whence they came?-They know not. From whence they sprang?-They know not. What is their religion?-They have none. Whom do they worship?-They are without God in the world. What is their language? That of the nations among whom they sojourn. Are they Jews? They tell you they are not. Are they Gentiles? No. Like the Jews they are wanderers without a home. Like the Jews, they are mingled among all people, and yet distinct from all, despised, suspected, persecuted, and hated, without a country, without a king: with a nationality unbroken either by time, persecution, or admixture of blood; with a spirit of clanship or brotherhood that nothing can quench; with a distrust of the Gentiles that nothing can overcome.
But the Jew is a worshiper of Jehovah-the Gritana, or Rhoma, knows him not. The Jew venerates, and studies, the ancient oracles of revealed truth-the Rhoma scarcely knows that such oracles exist. The Jew would rather die than defile himself with what to him is ceremonially unclean-the Rhoma will feed on the most loathsome food, even that which is torn, or which hath died of itself, eating his defiled bread among the Gentiles, fain to fill his belly with the husks that swine do eat. How then, can these wanderers be of common origin? The Jew, though cursed has been still intrusted with the oracles of God, and has therefore retained his name and a zeal for his worship; a knowledge of the language of his forefathers, of the history of the country from whence he has been driven; and a hope, an undying, an unquenchable hope, of one day returning to that land, around which hover all his thoughts, and whose very dust is dear to him as the gold of Ophir. But the Gritana was sent forth to wander without the written word, and consequently he has, and must have, lost all trace of the name and character of the God of his fathers; all knowledge of the country from whence he came; of the parental source from whence he sprang; of the language in which his father spoke; of the meaning of his judicial wanderings; and of the glorious hopes that the word, the promise, and the oath of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hold out to the scattered tribes, whither of the house of Judah or of Israel.
Of these mysterious wanderers, be they who they may, (and who they are, I presume not to say, although I firmly believe that they represent the house of Israel,) there are not fewer
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than three millions scattered over the face of the earth, and of the well known tribes of Judah and Benjamin about ten millions more-each testifying, though in different ways, to the truth of a faithful but offended God."
HOW DID IT GET THERE?
A gentleman exhibited to us a piece of cedar, the history of which is as follows: 'In digging a well on the property of Smith, Brothers, & Co., at Bunker Hill, Illinois, at the distance of fifty-three feet beneath the surface, they came to a cedar log, embedded in the earth, and extending across the well. It was cut off; was found to be five or six inches through, and was in a state of perfect preservation. The town of Bunker Hill, as many persons know, is situated in the middle of a large and level prairie, and the gentleman who has it in his possession, who is a bit of a Yankee, 'wants to know how that log of cedar got out there?'
SHOCK OF AN EARTHQUAKE IN NEW JERSEY.
We see by the Trenton papers that on Saturday night there were several distinct jars of the earth felt at that place. On Sunday morning, between 2 and 7 o'clock, at Morristown, two of the shakes jarred some of the dwelling houses so much as to wake up the families.-The doors and windows rattled distinctly.-Soon after daybreak, a crack of some hundred yards in length was discovered in the earth, in the vicinity of Gibbons new Hotel, the opening being about a fourth of an inch in width.
RUINS OF INDIAN GREATNESS.
The surplus wealth of India, that used to be employed in building extensive towns, crowded ghaunts magnificent stone or brick terraces, some of them capable of containing from six to eight thousand people, enormous massive bridges, splendid morques [morgues] and temples, is all gone; it has disappeared entirely. All the towns in India, with a very few exceptions, are in ruins. Delhi is surrounded by ruins; Agrai, Booranpore, Aurudgabad, have immense suburbs in ruins. The Deckman is a heap of ruins. Many towns in Central India that had their hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, are now literally without one, and are swarming with leopards, tigers, elks, and buffaloes. In deep forests you stumble upon Hindoo [Hindu] temples, Mohammedan gateways, stone talks [walks?] eight hundred yards square, brick walls of large dimensions; scores of acres of burying grounds, and all the other concomitants and proofs of wealth, and power and population. Malthus would never have written his too celebrated work, nor Godwin [Goodwin?] ever written his too little valued answers, had they been in India. India is a large forest, with a great many cultivated spots. India-I say it after due consideration-could contain and support five times its present population with ease; and yet it is unquestionably the poorest country in the known world. To the state of the wealth and resources of the original Hindoo [Hindu] monarchs imagination can assign no limits. The more I think on the subject, the more I am confounded.
MILLERISM.
It appears from the Boston Post that the second advent cause is flourishing in that city with as much zeal as it did during the early part of the past year. Mr. Miller is preaching at the great Tabernacle, to crowded audiences, night and day. The Post says:
"From the great number of people who daily throng the Tabernacle and listen to what is there said, there appears to be no abatement of zeal or earnestness in this cause, and no want of confidence in the principles held out, although the expiration of the time (the ensuing spring) is so near at hand. Mr. Miller appears to have fully recovered his health, and to have renewed his youth and vigor."
The proselytes of Miller are also holding forth in this city, as well as in the principle cities of the west. The Cleveland (Ohio) Herald, of the 23d ult., has the following:
"As the end of time, according to Mr. Miller draws near at hand, his disciples profess to discern the future more clearly. The Rev. Mr. Fitch, of this city is now preaching the doctrine of annihilation of the wicked! and we learn that a portion of the second advent hearers have embraced the same views."
MORE TURKISH FANATICISM.
A letter from Constantinople in the Gazette des Trilunaux, has the following: "The great subject of conversation here, is an instance of fanaticism which has taken place at Salonica. Ibrahim Pacha, noted for the severity of his administrations, was lately appointed governor of that district, and chose for his secretary a young man of good abilities and high family. The young Secretary was proceeding, to his post in the Austrian steamer, the Crescent when he perceived on board a Circassian, who was going to sell, to any rich personage, his two daughters, young girls of extraordinary beauty, who accompanied him. The secretary, when he heard of this intended act of barbarism, could not restrain his indignation, and spoke in very indignant terms to the father relative to
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his unnatural conduct. The latter maintained that he was acting in every respect according to the laws of the Koran, and that no man had a right to interfere in his private affairs. The young man gave up the dispute, and paced the deck, smoking several pipes to allay his indignation. The Circassian, on landing, lodged a formal complaint before the Cadi against the secretary for having smoked his pipe and taken refreshments on a day during the Ramazan, when every true mussalman is expressly forbidden to touch any thing to recruit nature, before sunset,
The young man was summoned before the magistrates to answer for such infringement of the sacred law, and not only avowed that he had done so, but declared that it was high time to give up such ridiculous practices. The cadi immediately proceeded to pass judgment on a man guilty of such heterodox doctrine, and sentenced him to death. The sentence was transmitted to Ibrahim, who, though willing to save his secretary, did not venture to act from his own authority. He referred the matter to Constantinople, in order to cause delay; but the cadi, on his side, having sent in his report, the matter was of necessity brought before ,tho [the] grand council, where the judgment was confirmed, and the execution ordered to take place immediately. Probably, at the present time, the young man has ceased to exist."