The City of the Mormons Part 4

Under an act of the Illinois legislature, incorporating the city of Nauvoo, the following provisions are found:--

"Sec. 24. The city council may establish and organize an inst.i.tution of learning within the limits of the city, for the teaching of the arts, sciences, and learned professions, to be called the 'University of the city of Nauvoo,' which inst.i.tution shall be under the control and management of a board of trustees, consisting of a chancellor, registrar, and twenty-three regents, which board shall thereafter be a body corporate and politic, with perpetual succession, by the name of the chancellor and regents of the university of the city of Nauvoo, * * * provided that the trustees shall at all times be appointed by the city council, and shall have all the powers and privileges for the advancement of the cause of education, which appertain to the trustees of any other college or university of this state."

PAGE 58. "Few attach themselves to the Church in America."

The indifference of the poorer cla.s.s of English emigrants to the Church of their fathers is truly lamentable. The Roman Catholic emigrant, however poor or friendless, retains his attachment to his faith. The German Lutheran is firm in his allegiance to the principles which he held in the land of his nativity. The same may be said of the Scottish Presbyterian, and of the Irish and Scottish Episcopalian. But the English labourer, mechanic, or small farmer, on his arrival in the United States, too often forgets his churchmans.h.i.+p, and, through ignorance or carelessness, readily connects himself with any schismatic conventicle which may be at hand.

THE MORMON CREED.

The Mormon Creed, as published by Joseph Smith himself, is given below.

(See "Times and Seasons," vol. iii. p. 709.)

"We believe in G.o.d the Eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

"We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

"We believe that these ordinances are, 1st, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; 2nd, Repentance; 3rd, Baptism by immersion, for the remission of sins; 4th, Laying on of hands, for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"We believe that a man must be called of G.o.d by prophecy, and by laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel, and administer in the ordinances thereof.

"We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, viz, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, &c.

"We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpreting of tongues, &c.

"We believe the Bible to be the Word of G.o.d, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of G.o.d.

"We believe all that G.o.d has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of G.o.d.

"We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed, and receive its paradisaic glory.

"We claim the privilege of wors.h.i.+pping Almighty G.o.d according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them wors.h.i.+p how, where, or what they may.

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honouring, and sustaining the law.

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous; and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, 'we believe all things, we hope all things;' we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.

If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

Joseph Smith, by his own account, was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont (U. S.), on the 23rd of December, 1805.

THE END.