| 28 to make them generally known that they might be correctly judged of. The Mormons were Christians in belief, and looked for the second Advent of Christ-when he shall come, surrounded by the angels of Heaven to dwell in person upon the earth-that he will be met by the spirits of those who are justified, and by the saints who may then dwell on earth-that the earth shall be then purified by fire so as to be made a fit residence for the heavenly host during the term of the Millennium, which will at that time commence-that the signs which are to precede that event are now transpiring, and that, although he did not pretend to determine the precise period of the Millenium [millennium], he believed that it was at hand, &c. He quoted various passages from scripture to sustain his opinions-and thought the creation of the heavens and the earth in six days and the hallowing of the seventh as a day of rest, indicated that at the termination of six thousand years, the Sabbath or Millenium [millennium] of a thousand years shall commence.
We understood Mr. Winchester to say, that he will endeavor in a few weeks, to deliver a regular course of lectures, explanatory of the belief of the Mormons, in which he will disguise nothing. However men may differ with him, he is evidently sincere in the faith he professes, and is entitled to be treated with respectful attention. Whatever may be the peculiar notions of the sect to which he is attached as to the time and manner of the fulfilment [fulfillment] of certain prophecies-or, however erroneous may be the pretended origin of the Book of Mormon, yet, as the Bible is recognized as their guide of Faith, we do not think that the Mormons should be made objects either of ridicule or persecution. We confess that Mr. Winchester has changed our opinion of the sect; for we held them in contempt if not in abhorrence, from the representations we had read of them, whereas, if what Mr. Winchester states to be true (and we have no reason to doubt him,) we can recognize them as professing Christians, tinged with peculiarities on particular points."
We are pleased to find that Elder Winchester is preaching in the city of Baltimore, as he is an intelligent, prudent, and faithful young man, and fully competent to teach the principles of eternal truth; and we are persuaded that if the editor of the "Baltimore Clipper," (who has spoken so honorably of him and his lecture) should hear him deliver a course of lectures, the force of those glorious truths which he will b e able to advance, will produce a greater revolution in his mind than he has yet experienced, or anticipated, in regard to Mormonism; and will be the means of bringing many of the intelligent and respectable citizens of Baltimore to a knowledge of the truth, and to obey these glorious principles which God has revealed for the salvation of the human family.
We have lately perused a "Synopsis of the Holy Scriptures, and Concordance," published by Br. Winchester, and we must say that it does credit to its author. It is a neat little pocket edition of 256 pages. It contains copious extracts of the scriptures, on the most prominent articles of the faith of the Latter Day Saints, and an appendix containing an "Epitome of Ecclesiastical History," from our Savior's time until the present day.
We have been requested by President Hyrum Smith to insert this notice,,and say with him that the work will be exceeding useful to the Biblical student; to the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; to the church in general; and to all serious enquirers [inquirers] after truth.
MORMONISM.
We extract the following from The Daily Sun, published at Cincinnati; from which it would seem that Elder Adams is indefatigable in his exertions to promote the cause of truth. The reporter, however, had made a grand mistake in saying that Elder Adams stated that the Book of Mormon was a record of the lost tribes of Israel; he knows better. The Book of Mormon is a record of the descendants of Joseph, who left Jerusalem during the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah. They of course were naturally connected with the ten tribes, but were only a few individuals of them, and not the lost ten tribes of Israel.
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