twenty years before from his 'Manuscript Found.' Since that I have more fully examined the said Golden Bible, and have no hesitation in saying that the historical part of it is principally if not wholly taken from the 'Manuscript Found.' I well recollect telling Mr. Spaulding that the so frequent use of the words 'And it came to pass,' 'Now it came to pass,' rendered it ridiculous."

The author of the book in question comments on the above testimony as follows:

It should be stated in explanation of the above that the Book of Mormon, at the time of its publication, was frequently spoken of as the "Golden Bible." Also that an incongruity occurs in the story of Laban, in the First Book of Nephi, where Nephi says they "did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod." Whereupon an angel appears and says, "Why do you smite your younger brother with a rod?” Consistency would require that the number, whether singular or plural should be the same in both sentences. The oversight is in itself a trifle, but it's occurrence in both the Spaulding Manuscript and the Book of Mormon is an unanswerable proof of identity.

John N. Miller testifies as follows:

"In the year 1811, I was in the employ of Henry Lake and Solomon Spaulding, at Conneaut, engaged in rebuilding a forge. While there I boarded and lodged in the family of said Spaulding for several months. I was soon introduced to the Manuscript of Spaulding, and perused it as often as I had leisure. He had written two or three books or pamphlets on different subjects, but that which more particularly drew my attention was one which he called the 'Manuscript Found.'

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It purported to be the history of the first settlement of America before discovered by Columbus. He brought them off from Jerusalem under their leaders, detailing their travels by land and water, their manners, customs, laws, wars, etc. He said that he designed it as an historical novel, and that in after years it would be believed by many people as much as the history of England. I have recently examined the Book of Mormon and find in it the writings of Solomon Spaulding from beginning to end, but mixed up with Scripture and other religious matter which I did not meet with in the 'Manuscript Found.' Many of the passages of the Mormon book are verbatim from Spaulding, and others in part. The names of Nephi, Lehi, Moroni, and in fact all the principal names are brought fresh to my recollection by the Golden Bible. When Spaulding divested his history of its fabulous names by a

verbal explanation, he landed his people near the straits of Darien, which I am very confident he called Zarahemla. They were marched about that country for a length of time, in which wars and great bloodshed ensued. He brought them across North America in a north-east direction."

Aaron Wright, a former neighbor of Spaulding, writes at Conneaut, Aug., 1833, as follows:

1808 or 1809

"I first became acquainted with Solomon Spaulding in when he commenced building a forge on Conneaut Creek. When at his house one day he showed and read a history he was writing of the lost tribes of Israel, purporting that they were the first settlers of America, and that the Indians were their descendants, as it is given in the Book of Mormon, excepting the religious matter. The historical part of the Book of Mormon I knew to be the same as I read and heard read from the writings of Spaulding more than twenty years ago: the names more especially are the same without any alteration. He told me his object was to account for all the fortifications, etc., to be found in this country, and said that in time it would be fully believed by all except learned men and historians. I once anticipated reading his writings in print, but little expected to see them in a new Bible. In

conclusion, I will observe that the names and most of the historical part of the Book of Mormon were as familiar to me before I read it as most modern history.

Oliver Smith, another old neighbor of Spaulding wrote at Conneaut, Aug., 1833:

"When Solomon Spaulding first came to this place, he purchased a tract of land, surveyed it out, and commenced selling it. While engaged in this business he boarded at my house, in all nearly six months. All his leisure hours were occupied in writing an historical novel founded upon the first settlers of this country. He said he intended to trace their journey from Jerusalem, by land and sea, till their arrival in America; give an account of their arts, sciences, civilization, wars and contentions. In this way he would give a satisfactory account of all the old mounds so common to this country. During the time he was at my house I read and heard read one hundred pages or more. Nephi and Lehi were by him represented as leading characters when they first started for America. (Mr. Smith narrates his last interview with Spaulding, when the latter was about starting for Pittsburg and solicited Smith's leniency, as one of his creditors, not to prevent his going. Mr. Smith then closes as follows:) This was the

last I heard of Spaulding or his book until the Book of Mormon came into the neighborhood. When I heard the historical part of it related, I at once said it was the writing of old Solomon Spaulding. Soon after I obtained the book, and on reading it found much of it the same as Spaulding had written more than twenty years before."

In another paper, I will present a few comments on these cunningly devised, and seemingly explicit statements, and briefly review some of the unscrupulous falsehoods in the testimony of these and other witnesses who conspired to deceive the world, and to destroy the Book of Mormon.

MAKE GOOD USE OF GOD'S GIFTS TO YOU.

Laura Bridgman, the famous deaf and blind woman, while a student at the Perkins Institute for the Blind, in Boston, became very helpful to the little blind girls who were being educated there. Although apparently so helpless herself that it would seem as if she was the one in need of help rather than the one to give it, nevertheless with her quick, active fingers she would assist many of them to acquire a knowledge of the intricacies of the sewing machine; and many a little blind girl there had to thank Laura for teaching her to thread a needle with the tongue.

The latter accomplishment was acquired by Laura before selfthreading needles, adapted to the needs of the blind, came into general use by them.

Any one who is in possession of all his senses might take a lesson from the deeds of the patient, helpful Laura; be contented with his lot and never cease to thank God for the gifts which he has bestowed; and determine to make at least as good use of those, which he has in common with the deaf and blind girl, as she did of hers.-Sarah Whalen.

ORGANIZATION.

BY ELDER SAMUEL W. RICHARDS.

The late organization of two new stakes of The Church in Salt Lake County, has given opportunity for thought relative to the benefits and propriety of such action.

From the time the great Creator said to him by whom and for whom all things were made: "See! yonder is matter unorganized, go ye down and organize it into an earth," etc., there can be no question as to the virtue and necessity of organization: the bringing together and harmonizing material to act in unison for the accomplishment of certain ends.

The result of organization of proper material in that case was an earth, or world, endowed with the energies of life, and capable of providing for the wants and necessities of an innumerable race of humanity, and other life, which were to come and dwell upon it for their development preparatory to a higher sphere. Organization has been a prominent feature from the first of human existence, developed in various forms, such as family, society, communities, tribes, nations, kingdoms, etc., each having separate and distinct features of government for their regulation and preservation.

The necessity of organization is apparent in the fact that every individual organism is first formed before life enters into or takes possession of it; as in the human body the spirit, or power of life, takes possession of and controls every portion of the structure organized for it. Every member of the body responds, without hesitancy, to the dictates of the spirit within, whether it be the eyes to see, the tongue to speak, the hands to work, or the

feet to walk. All are operated upon by the one spirit that is within, to the realization of the object and purpose of human life and action, by virtue of which it becomes a living soul.

This pattern of individual organization, as arranged by the great Creator and Organizer in the beginning, is the only one safe to follow, in all social development. Every member of the organization, for whatever purpose it may have been created, should be subject to one spirit in all things relating to the development thereof, and the realization of the objects to be attained by the organization. No opposition, contention or strife can be admissible any more than one member of the body can be supposed to war with another member without injury to, if not possibly destroying, the whole body. The necessary union can only be realized by the Spirit of God which is one Spirit operating upon, in and through, the spirits of all who are embodied or included in the organization for the welfare of which they are associated together.

In any organization which brings into exercise the powers of the Priesthood, as in that of the stake, both order and duty are calculated to effect the harmony required. Each one in office, if needing assistance, is permitted to call upon some member of the lower office to aid him in the discharge of duty. This renders it necessary for every officer to have some knowledge of duties pertaining to the higher office, to be properly qualified to assist in performing them. The whole catalogue of official duty is linked together by the lesser being qualified at any time to assist the higher; thus seeing eye to eye and working in perfect harmony, which is absolutely necessary in all things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

This linking together of the powers on earth is by virtue of an eternal principle, and reaches out to all eternal conditions of immortal life.

It binds earth to heaven, time to eternity, and will, to all who live in the law, bind man to his Father-God! and all such shall be sons of God, and reign with him for ever and ever in immortality, and in the midst of eternal lives.