this means, as complete a revolution is to be accomplished in the one kingdom as in the other. A new theory of astronomy has already been announced; and the Newtonian theories of gravitation, attraction and repulsion, are already said to be overthrown. In these efforts to suborn and corrupt science into a lying witness for their religion, we see a visible impress of the age upon the system. Here then is Mormonism under a double set of influences: the one setting it to spin and hum, like a boy’s top, forever on the same spot; the other.sending it forward upon a career of improvement to which there is no goal. Which shall finally be in the ascendant, their Prophet has not told us. Philosophers say that the harmony of the material universe is due to the antagonism of forces; and the adjustment being a product of Divine wisdom, may never be disturbed. But in a system which man has contrived, this harmony cannot always be preserved. Certainly there are warring elements in the Mormon imposture, which must produce a dreadful catastrophe, whenever the balance shall once be destroyed.
5. The last peculiarity in Mormonism which I shall now mention is its transcendentalism; though, to exhibit this trait fully, would require a minute analysis of its whole philosophy. As Smith never received a scholastic education, and never enjoyed leisure for general reading, this feature of his system would be utterly unaccountable, if it were not for the silent and insensible diffusion of knowledge and opinion. Those speculations, which can be originated only by minds of the highest order, percolate through others of far inferior grade; until at length the lowest stratum becomes saturated with opinions, the source and compass of which are but little known and appreciated. ‘There are, in the Mormon belief, two self-existent principles: to one of which is assigned the name of intelligence; and to the other, the name of element, or matter. The origin of the universe is thus explained: in the far eternity, two elementary particles of matter consulted together and compared intelligences,—these called in a third atom, and united in one will, became the first power. From this intelligence, a God was begotten. This lays a foundation for one of the prime articles of their creed in regard to God, that he is not “a spirit without body, parts
